Our Family's Discovery: Letters Between Glenda & Jack Tell The Heartfelt Journey We Never Knew

By Suzanne Guisinger

A look at an undiscovered 1948-1954 written romance and extensive travelogue from aboard a Navy carrier charged with diplomatic missions mostly during the Koren War.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667848693

Book preview

Introduction

Enough time has passed that I am now able to remember some of my conversations with my mother during her last week without focusing on the ultimate outcome. Our last conversation revolved around her wanting to make sure I sent flowers to her nephew Eric’s funeral. As usual she was more concerned for her sister’s loss than her own imminent collapsing lung. I assured her I would make the needed calls as we waited for the nurse to take her into surgery. I now remember her looking off in the distance as if recalling a lingering memory. She told me that if something happened to her, I would have to deal with a lot of old junk in her attic. I told her I was going to have to deal with it anyway since she was contemplating a move to an assisted living facility. So, it was no big deal for me. Neither of us thought this would be our last two-way conversation. She mentioned some old letters and wanted me to promise to throw them away. I tried to ask what the letters were about, but the nurse arrived. At that point I would have promised her anything, so I told her I would take care of whatever she asked. She gave me a smile and sadly it would be the last time I saw that signature smile.

The funeral and the aftermath were a blur, and it took me a few months before I accepted that she was not coming back. I remember emptying her house and how it required a six-month effort from the whole family. A forty-year life in that house was eventually reduced to boxes from the attic stacked in the empty living room. These boxes seemed to be from relatives that had sent her their last belongings for safe keeping. My brother, sister, and I along with our spouses went through the larger items in the boxes and slowly considered and dispersed the items. This weighed on all of us. We continued until all that was left were boxes of papers and old photos. I figured that since I was the eldest child maybe I might have more of a clue as to what they meant. In the end, I just put the boxes in my den and tried to forget about them.

Flash forward six years and we are now in 2020 with the raging pandemic. After being retired for three years, I decided it was the perfect time to stay home and go through some of those boxes in my den. I had bought a fast scanner and decided that I would scan in everything that looked important and at least have it digitally. The content in those boxes looked and smelled old and decaying! At first all I found were old military pictures from my grandfather, and memorabilia from my Aunt Jo (Glenda’s older sister) as a Champagne Lady with Lawrence Welk (another story). I then found a lot of old letters and pictures that were carefully stored in smaller boxes. These were obviously particularly important to someone and now I was curious. As I started to read them, I realized that they were correspondence between my parents. I then remembered my promise. I told myself if there was anything embarrassing or inappropriate, I would throw them away and never speak of them again. But what I found was a remarkable love story and a history of the world as seen through their young eyes from 1948 to 1954 when they were just 17 to 25 years old. I knew this accounting was special and although I will probably get in trouble with her later, I could not keep this from their grandchildren. I was especially aware that all their grandchildren are around the same age now that Glenda and Jack were when they wrote these letters to each other.

As you read you will get a sense of your grandparent’s world: looking at the aftermath of World War II in Europe, what life was like in Pensacola during Navy flight school, and enduring long separations and life on a Navy carrier charged with diplomatic missions during the Korean War. The military played a big part in their lives. Prior to this account neither of them had traveled out of the Midwest so this is their adventure.

I also found some surprising revelations. All the grandchildren knew their grandmother and she really was the same person. She played basketball as a young woman (remember she always liked to watch that sport) but as a young woman said that she did not like playing the card game of bridge. This is an inside joke since she belonged to a social bridge club for as long as I remember. Your grandfather also said he did not like golf. But we remember him playing golf a lot and passing the love of that sport on to his son.

As I was going through these letters, I realized again that none of you had ever met your grandfather. He passed away in 1980 before myself or my siblings were even married so this accounting is also for our spouses. I am hoping all of you can get to know him through these letters and pictures. It really was a fascinating story for me to recreate and it is a true love story, to which as a child, I was completely oblivious. Not many of us begin our love story in high school.

PART I: Glenda Travels to Greece 1948-50

The first letters were written in 1948 by Glenda to Jack. Glenda was just turning 18 years old and was abruptly taken out of high school in St. Louis to travel to Greece where her new stepfather (Louis Campbell) was stationed. He was an Army officer at the time with a specialty in communications and cryptographs. I am sure he was assisting in monitoring cold war communications. He had married Lillian (Glenda’s mother) only just as World War II was ending in 1945. He took his new family from Chicago to St. Louis for approximately a year before the new orders came in. Louis was already stationed in Greece as Glenda, her sisters Jo and Colleen, and their mother made the voyage to join him.

Glenda had started dating Jack for a while before she left for Greece. Jack graduated from Cleveland High School in St. Louis in January of 1948. The first series of letters are from her describing her travels and the first year in Greece. Not sure of the dates on some of them but I did my best to put them in chronological order. I have also transcribed them exactly as they are written, misspellings and grammar mistakes included, because I thought it made them more authentic. Jack’s sister Kaye was also a friend of Glenda’s, and she kept the mention of Glenda in the school newspaper.

I found it significant that he kept all correspondence from Glenda during this time.

High School 1947

There were a few scraps of notes that Glenda wrote to Jack in High School along with some evidence he ran track.

Jack -

I couldn’t find a horseshoe and I couldn’t find a four-leaf clover (though I searched three hours in tall dirty grass and got my Sunday jeans all stained) but even though I couldn’t find you a lucky piece I still wish ya lots of luck and here’s hopin’ ya have springs in those feet of yours today. But if ya don’t come in first, I’ll still speak to you - Big thrill eh!

Guess Who

I know Jack’s high school job was playing in bands at nightclubs. He was a very accomplished woodwind musician and proficient with the clarinet, saxophone (tenor and alto), and the bassoon. I remember he loved making music all his life.

Jack -

I’m really sorry about getting your shirt dirty yesterday, so I thought the least I could do was to give you some cleaner to clean it.

Be careful with the cleaner. Don’t use it around the fire, that is unless ya want to lose a hand and remember those hands are what make your living for you.

Take a cloth and rub the spot and it should clean your shirt - course it might eat the shirt up but why worry about such a minor detail like that.

Honestly I’m really sorry about your shirt and also about that back of yours. Sorry I was so mean but I take streaks like that.

Just me, Glenda

Jack,

Here’s a booster for you. I thought it might come in handy when you’re filing your income tax next year. Dad said that you can deduct ten percent of all the money you spend for charity. This booster was for the Chick’s (hmm there’s that word again) charity so now you can show the government this booster and save yourself paying $.025 (This was figured out in the following manner: 10% X $.25 = $.025. Ain’t I intelligent) I know this will be a great help to ya.

Here is a graduation note from Glenda to Jack.

Here is Jack’s High School Diploma. He graduated from high school in January of 1948.

Glenda Starts her Adventure

January 1948

This first letter is dated sometime in January 1948 (3 years after World War II ended). Jack has just turned 17 and Glenda will be 18 in March of 1948. The letter postmark was January 20, 1948 and took a 3 cent stamp! It was addressed to Jack Jones at 3931 Michigan, St. Louis, Mo. It is interesting to look up these addresses on Google Maps and see where they lived. My apologies to the current residents.

I heard stories from Glenda and her sisters that their mother (Lillian) was worried that Glenda would run away with Jack before they left for Greece. Glenda always said that would never have happened since she was only 17 years old at the time!

Friday Night

Dear Jackie,

I just have a minute and I have to go to the game, but I wanted to explain to you. I didn’t want to leave here with you not trusting me. This girl Donna, whom we are staying with bought 2 tickets to Melville’s game for tonight, thinking we would want to go.

I asked Mom if you could take me but she said that wouldn’t be the right thing for me to do as far as Donna was concerned, then I asked if you could bring me home, but Donna would have felt badly, and after all they are being nice enough to have us stay here. It isn’t that Mom doesn’t like you, cuz she does, it’s just that there was no way of getting together tonight. Mom said perhaps it was best cuz I would’ve probably cried the whole darn time. I was crying so hard I couldn’t talk, so I can imagine I would have flooded you out if I’d been with you tonite. But, Jackie, please don’t feel that I didn’t want to see you cuz I did with all my heart but it was just one of those things. I hope you believe me cuz you know I wouldn’t lie to you. Well, kiddo I gotta go now. I’ll write again soon. Good Luck Monday, kiddo, I got my fingers crossed for ya! And for heaven’s sake take good care of that Pooch of ours. Gotta go- bye for now.

As Ever,

           Glenda

P.S. This is to replace the old one in your car. I loved them, Jack, you couldn’t have pleased me more.

I believe this is a reference to something musical. She mentions a music box he gave her later. I found the following on a scrap of envelope flap and thought it fit here.

Say Jackie. I know why your pooch sits and stares at ya. It’s cuz birds of a feather stick together. Purely in jest. I think you’re pretty wonderful guy when ya want to be. Don’t go smoking yourself to death over there either.

January 27, 1948

This letter is postmarked on January 27, 1948 from Chicopee Falls, Mass. to Jack Jones, 3931 Michigan, St. Louis, Mo. However, the stamp is now Air Mail 5 cents. They are finally on their way to Greece, they think.

Monday Night

Dear Jackie

Well, kiddo here I am sitting in knee deep snow, waiting patiently (well waiting anyway) for a plane to take us out of this God-Forsaken Place. Honestly, this is the coldest, deadest place I’ve ever been in in all my life. We are living, or should I say existing in a room consisting of two iron beds and one beat out dresser. Nothing like the comforts of home. There are about 10 other women here who are also waiting for a plane so all of us have a great time sitting around chewing off our nails waiting for our calls. I wish we’d hurry up and get over to Greece, stay there our year or so and then get back to St. Louis cuz I’m really lonesome for good ole home.

Tuesday Morning

Last night there was so darn much noise that I couldn’t finish your letter so I got up at 7 this morning so it would be quiet. I’ve written you a letter every night since I’ve been here, but when I read it over in the morning I can’t make sense out of it so I’m sure you couldn’t. Speaking of letters, did you ever get the one I mailed from the train? I forgot to mail it until I got on the train so I gave it to the Porter to mail, but he didn’t look to honest so I’m not sure if he mailed it or not. I hope you understood why I couldn’t go out with you Friday night. I honestly wanted to, cuz you know how I feel about you, but Mom said No and there was no way of getting out of it. I argued and argued with Mom to let me go, but she said Donna already had the tickets for the game so it was only right for me to go. I felt pretty terrible about the whole mess but I sure hope that you understand now.

By the way Mr. Jones, I have a bone to pick with you. I have had the most terrible sore throat ever since I left St. Louis. I don’t want to mention names but you’re the only possible one I could have gotten it from. I can’t leave the States if I have a sore throat and to stay in this place for very much longer would drive me crazier than I already am. At first I thought I had scarlet fever. I had a sore throat and fever and was worried cuz I would have had to be quarantined for one whole month, it’s a good thing I like you, Jackie, cuz if I didn’t I’m afraid I would be calling you uncomplimentary names.

Right now the maid is trying to sweep around my feet and I guess the nice thing to do would be to move but I’m determined to finish this letter so I’m staying. It was so darn cold here last night that I had on so many blankets on that I ache all over this morning. Boy this place is strictly for the birds. I wish you were here and we could go for a walk. I can just see you shivering and your ears a beautiful red color. St. Louis weather is heaven compared to this. I put a coke on the window sill for about 5 minutes and before I got it off again the thing was frozen.

Guess about now I should start talking about the scenery cuz I know how you’d love to hear about it. Cutie, I’d tell ya about it if there was anything to tell but all I’ve seen so far is just snow. Some of the buildings are covered with drifts and you can’t see them.

The little ones are up now. One is five, the other six and they are crawling all over me. I want two just like them. Gee, they are really cute but sorta mean. My kids aren’t gonna be mean though, even if they will be spoiled.

Yesterday they informed us that all women (that includes me even if you do think I’m not grown up) have to wear slacks while flying over the ocean. Course we don’t have any of our clothes with us so we had to go buy some. I was sick with a sore throat and fever -so Jo had to go buy mine for me. I guess she thought I was an elephant cuz the slacks surely would fit one. When I get back you’re gonna (one of the little ones just bumped my arm) fix them so they fit cuz it’s your fault I was sick.

Yesterday we had to go to a lecture and movie on what to do when your airplane crashes. Cheerful thought isn’t it? But it was very interesting and though it was a bit morbid, it was a change and that’s what I needed.

Gee, Jackie, I’d give almost anything if I was back in St. Louis. I miss you so much. Guess you never miss the water till the well runs dry. I haven’t heard a radio since I left St. Louis and I guess I won’t for a long time to come, cuz there aren’t any radios in Greece. The only music I’ll hear over there is your music box. I smuggled it in my suitcase. Course you aren’t supposed to take anything over but clothing but I like it so much, I took a chance of landing in jail for breaking customs laws and put it in.

Well how’s college? I hope you like it and study for a change. I’m not going to be there to nag at you to study anymore. You’ll never be sorry Jackie, cuz just think maybe someday those precious lips of yours will be ruined and you won’t be able to play anymore and then you’d have to be a street cleaner if you don’t go to college. You’re just a musician at heart there, kiddo, but that’s one of the things I like about you most. I like to tease you about it, but really I used to love to hear you talk to the boys about music even if I didn’t always understand what you were talking about. You’re a great guy Jackie and I think the world of you (bad habits and all).

We were supposed to leave this terrible place today, but a storm just started so I guess we’re grounded again. You just can’t imagine what it’s like to sit for 3 days doing nothing. I’d give my right hand (that’s yours anyway) to be back in St. Louis, but someday I will be.

Did you stay sober over the weekend? Silly question I suppose. But you’d better not get drunk and get killed while I’m gone cuz I’m planning on singing at your funeral. One of Louis Jordan’s specials.

My fist just went to sleep and does it hurt. Guess I should have warned you that I write long letters, once I get started ya just can’t stop me. I’ll drop you a postcard from Germany if we stay there overnight. Excitin’ eh. Well, Jackie, I’ll write again later.

As Ever,

           Gee

P.S. I haven’t started drinking and smoking yet, but a couple more days of this and I won’t guarantee anything.

Glenda Stops in Germany

February 4, 1948

This letter gives an insight through a teenager’s eyes as to the devastation Germany endured during World War II. There are also a lot of references to the movies, music and bands of the day. This is obviously one of their biggest shared interests.

This letter is postmarked February 4, 1948. The address for Jack Jones was still 3931 Michigan, St. Louis, Mo. The return address was:

Glenda Mowery

c/o Lt. L.J. Campbell

0889-617 Sig. Corps

US Embassy

#2 Queen Sofia Blvd.

Athens, Greece

Sunday Night

Dear Jackie,

Well here I am in Frankfurt Germany. Guess I’d better warn you before I start that I’ve got a terrific case of homesickness tonight, so my letter will be anything but cheerful.

Lots has happened since I’ve written last. Wednesday we took off from Westover Field and flew as far as Newfoundland where we were again forced down because of bad weather. Newfoundland is really a remote place, and you wouldn’t like it at all cuz the women are terribly homely. Worse than me (pen just went dry and I don’t have any ink so I guess I’ll carry on in pencil) and it’s awful cold with nothing to do ‘cept sit around and drink beer. Hmmmm maybe you would enjoy it after all. We had to stay there for three days. I spent ¾ of my time playing cards. I never want to see another deck as long as I live. Maybe I just haven’t grown up yet, but it just drives me crazy to sit around with a bunch of people lots older than me and play cards, watch them drink and talk.

We left Newfoundland Friday and flew to the Azore Islands. I sent you a card from there, the postage is terrific! Twenty-one cents for one post card and here I can send you a whole letter for 5 cents. Boy those Azore Islands are strictly for the birds. The natives are horribly dirty and you can’t understand anything they’re saying. We had breakfast there. At the door they threw a dirty greasy tin pan at you and you went through a line where filthy natives threw your food at you. Honestly it just made me sick. I couldn’t eat anything. Ah for good American meals.

We flew over the Atlantic Ocean at night and there was a full moon. I think it was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen, the moon was shining down over the water. It really made me homesick. I sure wish all you kids could have seen it.

We landed in Germany last night. Honestly Jackie, I don’t have words to describe this place. There is hardly a building standing, all of them are ruined by the bombs. The people are almost starving to death. They roam the streets searching the grounds for cigarette buts and they all dig in the garbage cans. It’s really horrible. They’ve built little shacks to live in, hardly big enough for a bed to fit and that’s where they live. I know they asked for it, but I still can’t help feeling sorry for them. Their clothing is nothing but rags and most of them wear hand-made shoes made out of wood. I can hardly stand to walk down the street and see them suffering. And do they hate Americans!! I’ve never seen such hatred in people’s eyes. I’m honestly afraid of them, course I can see how they would be bitter to see us dressed nicely and they in rags. It’s a cruel world you know.

Our hotel is nice but it sure gives me the creeps. Everything is so big, I lose myself in the bed and they have 2 iron doors you have to open to get into the room, but people are constantly breaking and stealing things. Cheerful thought, isn’t it? I have 2 enormous windows overlooking the street with no shades and I can constantly feel eyes watching me. I’ve never been afraid of anything (‘cept you-purely in jest) before, but this place gives me the jitters.

Some of the Germans are nice. The waiters, maids and bellboys are swell. Jo left some cigarettes down in the lobby and one of the bellboys brought them up to her. She thought it was so nice of him, that she gave them to him and you should have seen him thank her, he even began to cry because he was so happy; with cigarettes you can buy almost anything in this town.

Last night we ate at the hotel and we even had a German band playing American dinner music. They were really good but of course not as good as you, you’re still my number one musician. Their band consisted of a piano, bass violin, 2 regular violins, and some sort of drums. They even played Close as Pages in a Book, but they didn’t get around to any of Louie Jordan’s Music.

After supper most of the people went to the Officers Club (a military base building intended for off-duty use by officers while excluding personnel of lower rank) but I came up and went to bed. I just don’t enjoy myself around older men and women, anyway I was plenty tired. I hadn’t slept at all Friday nite in the plane, so I was ready for bed. I went to sleep at 9 and woke up at 12 this next morning. I’m getting enough sleep for both of us now. I sure used to get by with practically none when I went out with you, Ah but I loved it. Now I’m catching up.

Guess this letter is anything but interesting, but you used to sit and listen to me tell you my troubles at home, so I thought you’d be the logical person to write them to. Maybe I’ll get used to people suffering, but until I do, I’m afraid I’m going to be a very unhappy girl over here.

Don’t know how long we’ll be here, have to wait for the weather to change. It’s nice here and there’s no snow but there’s supposed to be a terrific tail wind up in the sky- don’t know what that is but that’s what is holding us up. Dads practically on his ear waiting for us.

I got a little sick in the plane. I’ve been eating such horrible food it’s no wonder and when we had to go up to 9500’ to avoid bad weather, and then hit air pockets that just about did it. I kept turning greener and greener but did manage to get off the plane before I tossed my cookies. But I really love flying.

You should have seen the life preservers we had to wear, I think they weighed 25 pounds and just about choked me to death.

Tonight all of us went to the American show and saw Desire Me. It was the first picture I’ve seen since I went with you and it made me terribly homesick for you all and America. I have such a lost feeling, I miss everyone so much it isn’t even funny. You never realize just how much fun you had until all of the sudden you have to leave. I’d give just about anything to be out somewhere dancing with you right now, but wishing don’t make it so. However, I’m really getting an education, learning may things that I shall never forget and learning to appreciate everything so much more. When you see how little so many people have, you learn to appreciate what you have.

Well, Jackie, it’s 12:10 and that’s way past my bedtime so I guess I’ll sign off for now. How are you doing in college, how’s your sis, and how’s your music? I’ve asked lots of questions so now I’m waiting for some answers.

Bye for now.

           Just me

                     Glenda

March 1948

This is an excerpt from the Orange and Blue which was the Cleveland High School Newspaper in St. Louis. The date on the paper is March 3, 1948.

Glenda Arrives in Greece

March/April 1948

This letter had an envelope with various Greek stamps and illegible postmarks, so I am not sure of the date it was written. My best guess is maybe March/April of 1948. I believe it was shortly after they arrived in Greece. The delivery and return addresses were the same as the last letter. Glenda has started school but was still adjusting to her new surroundings. Remember, I do not think she had ever left midwest America before this. And the cold war was very often in the news at this time, which would be the reason their mail was censored.

Wednesday

Dear Jackie,

Gee, you sure have surprised me!! I never expected you to write me so much.