May 11, 1919

May 18 1919

U.S.S. New Jersey

Miss Rose Kraynik,

1336 Michigan Ave;

Manitowoc,

Wisc.

(On side of envelope: “D-Martin. 4^th Div. U.S.S. New Jersey, c/o Post M. Fortress Monroe, Va.”)

May-11-1919

At Sea.

Dearest Rose,

I am just going to write you a few lines. I would like to write too you all the time but there isn’t any news. And don’t think you are much interested in what little I do write.

Today is Mother’s day we sure had a fine time. chicken dinner, oranges, and candy. you should have seen the shape the dinner was in and how we ate it.

The sea sure was rough all day, The water was washing over the top decks. lots of it was comming through the ports and hatches. all the decks were wet, muddy, most places was a couple inches deep. The ship rolled so much we could not hardly walk, one thing sure we had to eat off the deck, hold our plates in our one hand and hang on with the other hand. some fellows sat there, plates down of course they stayed there a long time. They slid across the deck, smashed all to pieces and good-bye chicken dinner. Easter Sunday was a nice day the sea was fine, I went to church, had a good dinner, but was many miles from land.

We left Boston on May the 6^th eight-o-clock at night, it is now ten-thirty night on 11^th and are one thousand seventy four miles from Boston.

They sure keep us buisy most all the time. the time goes much faster when we are keep buisy than when we have nothing to do.

The in side of this ship is all painted white. it has to be keep white it would cost to much to paint it every time it gets dirty so we have to wash every think with soap and a rag. That’s all I done for the last few day’s is scrub paint work, and stand about four hours watch every other night.

I sure am proud of that picture you sent me if it was small. every time I get the blues. I just look at that picture, it reminds me of the old place. and the nights we used to be together. I sure would give most anything is I were back there this evening.

Here I am in the navy can’t get out, don’t know when I will. I suppose I will be the last one back. do not expect to be home until the soldiers are all out of France, we are only going to make two more trips, than will go back to Boston for nearly a year. I expect I will be discharged than or sent on some other ship. I do not expect to come home until I am discharged unless they keep me for a long time. One good think they send us back to the same place we enlisted, pay our fair for our meals on the way there, and give us sixty dollars. I am only getting small wages now. thirty-five a month. I used to get that much in a week. one good thing I subsribed for a hundred dollar bond last October, with have the last payment made July 20^th. Did you take a bond this time? Have you made up your mind to stay in Manitowoc yet? I’ll bet you sure were supprised to hear from Ida? She seems to be getting along fine, although I havn’t gotten a letter from her for a long time. she must be lazy or is keep to buisy.

I got a nice big box of candy from home just befour I’ve left. you bet it was fine it tastes all the better when one is at sea so much.

I got a big box of candy from my Aunt in Chicago about three months ago. But I havn’t heard from her for so long I have almost forgoten I have an Aunt. Most every one has stopped writing to me lately. My mother writes real often. My sister writes once in a while. but you and my mother are the only ones I can append (?) on (?). I sure like to get letters from you. hope you don’t forget as I would miss yours more than any of the rest.

The sea is much smother than it was a few hours ago. but is still rolling some. so please excuse my mistakes and extra scratches. I only have a pencil, I lost my fountain pen some time ago. And a straight pen is hard to get. so this is going to be a charm (?) letter. you are lucky if you can make it out.

I suppose the frogs are croaking and the robbins are singing, a lots of the other birds must be back by now?

We are a long way from France but this letter will be mailed as soon as we get there. you may get it a little sooner than if I did not mail it until we got back to the states.

Well dear Rose this is about all I can think of for now, so will close, I hope that you will write as often as possible.

We expect to be back in Newport News, Va. About June 6^th so you can send the mail same old way c/o Post master Fortress, Monroe.

Wishing you good luck and happyness

Will close for now with the best of love, hopping that you are getting along fine.

Hoping to remain you,

Friend forever,

Dan.