It was 70 years ago that Joseph Harold Wellings wrote a New Year's message home to his wife Dolly. The men of Strong had a quiet new years celebration steaming toward South America and passage through the Panama Canal. Below is the letter home, in total.
Sweetheart:
Happy New Year! What better way is there than starting off the new year writing to my darling? None is the answer. So my sweet here I am writing to the sweetest girl in any and all worlds.
I hope today will find you happy and contented – at least as happy as possible under the present conditions. I also hope that my two little girls are well. How is Anne? Has she recovered sufficiently to be up and around? I know you are keeping careful watch over her – treating her like fragile Dresden China. Just keep a weather eye on her and I predict that before long she will be back to normal and leading you a merry chase endeavoring to keep up with her.
As I stated in my letter yesterday New Years Eve was very quiet for the boys in the Strong. Like today it is just another day in our effort to protect our big ships from any and all kinds of enemy craft. Fred and I were turned in by 2200 and I slept soundly until called for dawn general quarters at 0630. Today we continue our weaving in and out, being alert at all times for any contacts. But everything has been very quiet. I do believe the subs got the news that we were in the Atlantic and fearing bodily injury they folded their tents and went home.
Please write and tell me just how everything turned out over the holiday period. Every little detail will be appreciated.
Please send my New Years greetings to Bing, Ocea, Dan and Kidder and of course your sweet mother.
Again, Happy New Year and all my love to the sweetest girl in and outside of heaven.
Your very own,
Harold
xxxxx
P.S. Hugs and kisses to Anne - H
To all of the Strong families and others who are now checking out the web site and the blog, a happy and prosperous New Year in 2013 to you all. As always, I welcome comments, questions or ideas on topics for the blog. Also check out the Project Strond DD-467 page on Facebook. Thank you all for coming by!
Tammi
Sweetheart:
Happy New Year! What better way is there than starting off the new year writing to my darling? None is the answer. So my sweet here I am writing to the sweetest girl in any and all worlds.
I hope today will find you happy and contented – at least as happy as possible under the present conditions. I also hope that my two little girls are well. How is Anne? Has she recovered sufficiently to be up and around? I know you are keeping careful watch over her – treating her like fragile Dresden China. Just keep a weather eye on her and I predict that before long she will be back to normal and leading you a merry chase endeavoring to keep up with her.
As I stated in my letter yesterday New Years Eve was very quiet for the boys in the Strong. Like today it is just another day in our effort to protect our big ships from any and all kinds of enemy craft. Fred and I were turned in by 2200 and I slept soundly until called for dawn general quarters at 0630. Today we continue our weaving in and out, being alert at all times for any contacts. But everything has been very quiet. I do believe the subs got the news that we were in the Atlantic and fearing bodily injury they folded their tents and went home.
Please write and tell me just how everything turned out over the holiday period. Every little detail will be appreciated.
Please send my New Years greetings to Bing, Ocea, Dan and Kidder and of course your sweet mother.
Again, Happy New Year and all my love to the sweetest girl in and outside of heaven.
Your very own,
Harold
xxxxx
P.S. Hugs and kisses to Anne - H
To all of the Strong families and others who are now checking out the web site and the blog, a happy and prosperous New Year in 2013 to you all. As always, I welcome comments, questions or ideas on topics for the blog. Also check out the Project Strond DD-467 page on Facebook. Thank you all for coming by!
Tammi
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