Letter 1/11/45

Hey all,

I've transcribed the first V-Mail my grandpa sent home.  I can't format it in blogger to look like it does in real life, however, in the middle there is obviously a page break. This letter to his family took up two sheets of V-Mail.

Mr. A. Kumasaka T15 A. Kumasaka
287 MAIN ST. ASN 32609377
KEANSBURG, N.J. Hq Btry 863FABM
U.S.A. APO 410 c/o PM N.Y. N.Y.

Hello Folks: Jan 11, 1945

I’m somewhere on the high seas today as I write this letter. I am enjoying the best of health, and the food we get is excellent. Some of the boys were quite sick for awhile when the water was a little rough, but now most everyone has recovered. The trip hasnt bothered me that way yet, and the only reason I miss a meal now and then is when I’m somewhere else, such as church service, PX line (cigarette & candy), or the ice cream & cookie line.
My bunk is below decks, and the quarters are rather cramped, so I try to spend the day on deck, reading, napping, or playing cards. Lights go out on the ship about 4:30 every afternoon and after that time we must grope around as best we can under dim red lights. Usually about 5 every night, a buddy with an accordion comes into the compartment and plays for about an hour. We get a lot of enjoyment from his play and
(continued)
Page 2 Jan 11, 1945
we usually request numbers which we know the words to.
Also, of course, we can go on deck and listen to the radio programs which are sent out over the Public Address System. Last night, I heard a rebroadcast of a Bob Hope program, and got a few belly laughs from it.
Although drinking water can be obtained at all times, fresh water for washing, shaving, etc is rationed. We have its use between 7 30AM & 8:30AM and 5:30 & 6:30PM. The situation is such, however, that the latrine is closed about 8 in the morning in order to be cleaned for inspection, and as lights are out at 430 we have only the red light to wash and shave under at night. The latrine has salt water showers – I took one the other day and can’t say too much for them.
I won’t try to cram all my experiences of the trip into this one letter, so I’ll close now. Hope all of you are well.

Love,
Archie


Will write more tomorrow. Until then,
E

Beginnings

I am 27. According to adults older and wiser than me, I am just starting out in life, just truly discovering who I am. People ask me all the time, "Who are you?". How do I answer? A name, an adjective, a phrase. I am so many things, as I am now discovering, and only with all of them am I whole.

I am a daughter, a sister, a friend. I am quiet, and unorganized, and passionate. I am easily amused, a college gradute, a story teller. I laugh when things aren't funny, I procrastinate, I don't get enough sleep. I am a teacher. I am a sports fan. I am patriotic, and an American. I like sushi. I am left-handed. I love to read.

I have generations of family members who have come before me, from different countries around the world. I am German, and Swedish, and English, and Japanese. My family has a distinct and unique past, that has, in some form or another, shaped who I am today. I have become the person I am with the help of my family. Generations of people, each living their lives, each having an impact on shaping mine. Sisters, brothers, fathers, mothers. Laughter, tears, unexpected surprises. Life, simply put. Their lives have touched mine, and molded me into the person I am today.

It is this thought, then, this idea of my family directly impacting my own life, that has brought about this blog. The purpose of this blog, plain and simple, is to research my grandfather's life, through his own letter's and other resources, and put together a better understanding of who he is.

There may never be another soul who wanders onto this website. I realize that. This is not so much a quest to reach the masses, but a journey to help me understand not only my grandfather, but myself. I am, after all a history major. These things come easily to me. When my grandfather recently handed me a stack of letters from his service in WWII, I knew immediately what I wanted to do with them: I want to transcribe them, and research them further. There may never be another person in the world who appreciates this. But for me, in my own way, it is something that needs to be done.

As I transcribe the letters, and dig up more of his past, I will post here. I don't know how often it will be. I'm a busy girl, working two jobs to make ends meet. But this is a passion I have, so I hope to be back often to share more.

Until next time,
E