August 14, 1918

Aug 15 1918

Miss Rose Kraynik

1336 Michigan Ave

Manitowoc, Wisc

Camp Dewey,

Aug-14-1918

Dearest Friend Rose,-

I just received you most kind and welcome letter this noon. And sure was glad to here from you. I have ben waiting for a letter for a long time. I thought sure you for got me but I know better now. I know you are going to keep your word. And you can trust me because you are the only girl I ever want.

you seem to think I don’t care for you but I sure do. I just wish I could see you soon. but you know I am not working in the ship yards now. I can not come when I want to. I think I will be able to come in about two months. I do wish you would be in Manitowoc then.

I get off twelve hours each week and that is not enough to go so far.

Last night I had two pencils and lost them both. when I tried to borrow one no body had one. There is one hundred sixteen men in our company and I know they all got pencils. But they did not want me to use theres.

I just made up my mind I was going to write to you. So I keep going until I got one.

Say did you ever get those postal card views I sent you of the navy station down here? I sent them about three weeks ago.

Well Rose I do wish I had more time to write but I just have to wash my suit to-night. After chow I have to go on guard until ten o-clock. in the morning I have to get up at four-o-clock to wash my hammock There isn’t much chance to get dirty here we are washing all the time. we have to get up early in the morning to wash and in the day time we either have to work or drill. so you see I don’t have much time to get lonesome. But I always have time to think of you.

When I came through Milwaukee the time I came down here I saw Florence the girl that worked at Robinsons so long. she knew me but was with some other girls and didn’t stop

I havn’t any more time so will have to close. will write again in a few days. Answer as soon as you can.

Good-Bye with the Best love, Am yours forever,-

Douglas Martin.

(on back of envelope, “D. D. Martin, Camp Dewey, Co. D. Great Lakes, Ill.”)