My Dearest
Darling and all my little darlings-- How is everybody tonight? I am feeling fine and full
of love for each of you and particularly you my dearest.
We are off Valencia a few miles getting ready for a demonstration to
Generalissimo Franco of Spain come Sunday. Everything, gunnery, aerobatics, steaming
tactics, "Manning the Rail" and all are being rehearsed for the old boy. We
would do the same for our president if he were to view the fleet. This demonstration is
the first for Franco. He has never accepted the invitation to witness such a demonstration
of Sixth Fleet might, since its been here. Hope the old boy is pleased and impressed
favorably... Uncle is sure needing his help and is kowtowing to him. You see, we are
sweating for airbases the US could use in order to keep Russia surrounded and Spain is a
natural.
We will go back to Valencia to pick him up Sunday
morning, take him out to sea for the show and return him to Valencia that night. After
that we will proceed to Naples. I hope to see the Turners there and several other people
we know. . .
. . . I broke out my blues and topcoat today to get ready for the
shift we expect momentarily and I had to sew up the sleeve of the topcoat... sitting and
sewing in front of my locker where I could see the pictures of you all and believe me gal,
I was homesick... Then I wrote Cecilia and reminisced while I wrote.... Sure miss you all
a lot more, than even I thought. It's pleasant though to think that I am being missed too.
There's just enough ham in me to think that house (that "Old House") can't get
along without me. . .
Dad / WWII-- on 13
Jul 1944, Wed nite wrote Mom (a
bit before R K's time -- we're not certain as yet, as to where he was writing from,
but it was wartime for both he & FDR):
My Dearest Darling-- Here I am again to refresh your memory of the
fact I love you --Even if I don't send home money to prove it. I'm just
pining my ole heart out to see our little daughter grow up-- Just about to walk and
getting teeth and I'm missing it.
This can't go on forever I know. Such is the fate of War-- I'm like
FDR -- I hate War!! There is so little one can do it seems to help
living it closer, to an end. I hope its soon-- I pray for it. If it does end soon and I'm
still here I think that I'll stay here on "sea-duty" if it's all the same to the
Bureau-- With you and my chickens here-- Oh it would be heaven-- Wonderful climate and
everything within an ordinary salary. We could live like a King & Queen. Prices here
are bound to come down plenty because the people here don't make any money to speak of and
are barely existing. The Armed Forces have caused an inflation here. When the most of them
leave-- fewer dollars in circulation-- more competition among merchants and we could live
on a song.
Simple as all that --all we gotta do is finish this War and you
& I are really going to live --Amen. While I dream some more of this, I'll close with
all my love. Your Johnnie and Curt's & Celia's most affectionate daddy.
Better days, just before that Coral Sea deployment...
From Akron Beacon Journal 29 April, 1954:
HAPPY -- Looking at the bell from the old USS Ohio at a University Club luncheon are (from
left): John C. Kiriluk (Dad), chief aviation machinist; Capt. James H. Flatley; Adm.
Ernest H. Von Heimburg; Mayor Berg and Charles F. Burke.
Don't misunderstand: we haven't been there and "done
that"... today's military and their families are facing a completely different
ordeal. It's a whole new thing, this "New War"-- our thoughts and prayers go
with you.
USS Coral Sea CVA-43