Dear Extended Webb Family: I thought you might like to see some of my dad's letter, written to mom on the 4th of July, 1945, as the (landlubber) WV hillbilly endured his first "ocean voyage," - courtesy of Uncle Sam. I count my blessings for this reminder of how some of our family had to celebrate holidays. Sue July 4, 1945 TO: Mrs. Betty Webb, 294 Matheson Dr., Macon, Georgia FROM: T/Sgt. M. Webb, 15018667, Sq.A-5-APO-19491-A, c/o PM, San Francisco, Cal. VIA AIR MAIL-6 cent stamp. Passed By US Army Examiner #42376. [Censor stamp], postmarked July 4, 1945. At sea. Hello, Dearest. Am spending a wonderful holiday "at sea." This is another still day, just a little wind but that can be expected. Well, am on deck, as the rules of this ship is to go on top from nine to eleven. Then the Army orientation will bring us up again this evening. Am beginning to settle down and enjoy the trip, I mean as much as possible. Can go in the mess and eat, that is something I didn't think I ever could do when I first started. Bought a new pen, a Waterman's. It is a good one, but you know I can't write anyway. Got it on ship, $1.50. The ship's PX did have some good Schaffers, but I didn't get in on them in time. Still have my other one but wanted this because it writes fine. If I go in supply again, well, a fine writing pen sure is a good thing to have around. The letter that I wrote you yesterday was written from the top bunk, up next to a little light. Sure a job to try to write on deck, so many men crowding around trying to find some place to get out of the way. I sure would like to spend today with you and Sue. And it would be nice to know just where you are and what your plans are. . . . It seems that July the fourth at home [Gordon, Boone County, WV] was always so nice and warm. I always looked forward to it as much or more than any other holiday. Then to have one on this ship in the South West Pacific headed for the Hawaiian Islands. Yes, dear, we know where we are going and can write about it. Will probably get to see Honolulu. That is a long way off but only a step to compare to what or where we may go. Would like to lay over there awhile and get to see the beach of Waikiki and some of the interesting points, of course. You know my overseas time started when I got on the boat on the West Coast, but won't get to start in on the rotation plan until the War is won or we get assigned to a unit. Darling, it is getting terribly windy. I will finish this some time this evening. 5 July 1945. Will have to continue on the second day, didn't get a chance to write any more yesterday. Quite a lot of wind, just too rough for me to try to write. My old stomach won't be still in much of this wind. Well, dear, we had our usual holiday dinner: turkey, and would have been much better on land! Today is rather warm, must be getting close to some sunshine. Haven't saw much sun since leaving Georgia. Sure makes a fellow wonder and do some thinking . . . We have been told that mail sent to my APO number would be sent on to Hawaii. I got two letters direct from you before leaving the states. After this dear, don't think I will try to write any more on ship. It is too discouraging and disgusting to try to write. Think I will close until we see Pearl Harbor. With love, Mac

Dear Sue, I enjoyed this tremendously. Thank you so much for sharing. Nancy Langdon Webb ----- Original Message ----- From: "suebod" <suebod@tampabay.rr.com> To: <WEBB-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 3:46 PM Subject: [WEBB] July 4, 1945 Dear Extended Webb Family: I thought you might like to see some of my dad's letter, written to mom on the 4th of July, 1945, as the (landlubber) WV hillbilly endured his first "ocean voyage," - courtesy of Uncle Sam. I count my blessings for this reminder of how some of our family had to celebrate holidays. Sue July 4, 1945 TO: Mrs. Betty Webb, 294 Matheson Dr., Macon, Georgia FROM: T/Sgt. M. Webb, 15018667, Sq.A-5-APO-19491-A, c/o PM, San Francisco, Cal. VIA AIR MAIL-6 cent stamp. Passed By US Army Examiner #42376. [Censor stamp], postmarked July 4, 1945. At sea. Hello, Dearest. Am spending a wonderful holiday "at sea." This is another still day, just a little wind but that can be expected. Well, am on deck, as the rules of this ship is to go on top from nine to eleven. Then the Army orientation will bring us up again this evening. Am beginning to settle down and enjoy the trip, I mean as much as possible. Can go in the mess and eat, that is something I didn't think I ever could do when I first started. Bought a new pen, a Waterman's. It is a good one, but you know I can't write anyway. Got it on ship, $1.50. The ship's PX did have some good Schaffers, but I didn't get in on them in time. Still have my other one but wanted this because it writes fine. If I go in supply again, well, a fine writing pen sure is a good thing to have around. The letter that I wrote you yesterday was written from the top bunk, up next to a little light. Sure a job to try to write on deck, so many men crowding around trying to find some place to get out of the way. I sure would like to spend today with you and Sue. And it would be nice to know just where you are and what your plans are. . . . It seems that July the fourth at home [Gordon, Boone County, WV] was always so nice and warm. I always looked forward to it as much or more than any other holiday. Then to have one on this ship in the South West Pacific headed for the Hawaiian Islands. Yes, dear, we know where we are going and can write about it. Will probably get to see Honolulu. That is a long way off but only a step to compare to what or where we may go. Would like to lay over there awhile and get to see the beach of Waikiki and some of the interesting points, of course. You know my overseas time started when I got on the boat on the West Coast, but won't get to start in on the rotation plan until the War is won or we get assigned to a unit. Darling, it is getting terribly windy. I will finish this some time this evening. 5 July 1945. Will have to continue on the second day, didn't get a chance to write any more yesterday. Quite a lot of wind, just too rough for me to try to write. My old stomach won't be still in much of this wind. Well, dear, we had our usual holiday dinner: turkey, and would have been much better on land! Today is rather warm, must be getting close to some sunshine. Haven't saw much sun since leaving Georgia. Sure makes a fellow wonder and do some thinking . . . We have been told that mail sent to my APO number would be sent on to Hawaii. I got two letters direct from you before leaving the states. After this dear, don't think I will try to write any more on ship. It is too discouraging and disgusting to try to write. Think I will close until we see Pearl Harbor. With love, Mac ==== WEBB Mailing List ==== Use this < http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/w/e/WEBB/ > To connect to your Genconnect boards and post your web links and family pages and Sign or read the guest book TO contact list owner <WEBB-admin@rootsweb.com >or post a complaint Website for my lists http://www.angelfire.com/or/matney look for Webb Place To Unsubscribe to the list mailto:WEBB-L-request@rootsweb.com?subject=unsubscribe&body=unsubscribe mailto:WEBB-D-request@rootsweb.com?subject=unsubscribe&body=unsubscribe ============================== Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history learning and how-to articles on the Internet. http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library