The following are excerpts from a letter to my Dad and Brother Bernard.
It has not been edited for spelling or grammatical error and is post marked DEC 25, 1953.
Dec, 24, 1953
Christmas Eve.
Dear Dad and Bernie,
Yesterday we had a party for 50 kids in one of the mess halls. "Santa" came by helicopter, and, of course, I was there to take pictures--both black & white and colored. I hope they come out. The crew served ice cream and cake to the kids. Later we showed a movie of cartoons. To see pictures of the Christmas party click HERE.
So this is Christmas Eve - sure doesn't seem like it. Hot, sticky, and over 6,000 miles from even the States. It really makes me homesick to smell the Christmas trees that are set up around the ship. The crew has seven trees, the officers two and the chiefs one (I guess). We have ours in each of the 6 mess halls and the other in our lounge. The arne't much to look at, but they are real trees. We also have a large star (huge) amidships and a cross on the forward mast. Both are lighted at night.
I guess Lloyd won't see much of a Xmas either. He's in Hongkong. We'll sure have plenty to remember 10 years from now eh? (Lloyd is my cousin and was assigned to an AKA. Ed).
Did you have a white Xmas?? From your last letters, the weather doesn't seem to even get cold. Maybe its waiting till later on to give the blast.
In nine days now we will leave Manila and go back to Task Force 77 for seven days of operation. Unless I miss my guess we will see our first real cold weather then. About the time you receive this letter (on the 4th or 5th) we will be halfway or so between Manila and TF 77.
After that we go to Yokosuka for about two weeks - THEN - homeward bound. I won't really be homeward untill April or later.
I think Lloyd's ship is due in about a month later then we are. After he gets in we shall resume our typical Mishicot partys. Me, Lloyd, Peanuts Cretton, Donny Cisler, Donny Krajink and who ever else might be in the area. Of course, I expect to take pictures (as long as I am sober) of these historic events Ha Ha. Really though, these pictures will be great when we all get together 10 years from now---don't you agree?? (The names above were all friends of mine--all on different ships during the same years. We never did get together after 10 years. Ed).
Thanks for taking care of my slides. You know I can never replace most of them. Thats why I'm so fussy. I think you understand. Later on I may have them sealed in glass for better protection.
Boy it sure doesn't seem like seven months since I've been home. If time continues to fly I'll soon be done with my Navy time which is now only: 524 days or (roughly) 1 year 5 months AND when I leave, it will be my last. When I come home in "55 it will be to stay. Sounds good eh? If I'm not wrong, I think I get my discharge 5 or 6 days after Bernie graduates from school. That means the following Aug. we can really have a vacation - right.
Well - untill next letter
So long,
Dave
(Ed comments. Never did seal most of my 35 mm slides in glass. Perhaps 8 or 10. After all these years, the tape has come loose. Never did have that vacation with my Dad and Brother. In August 1956, I was attending US Army boot camp and planning to be married. My Dad passed away in the late 1980s. He sure did take care of the things I sent to him while I was aboard the USS Helena CA-75. Much of what you view on these web pages was handed to me in a large box when I was release from active duty in 1955. Thanks Dad!)