[Note: Read this post first for an introduction.]
This letter to Grandma was sent at the start of my first deployment. By “rocky start” I believe this refers to the loss of most of the ship’s freshwater making capability, leaving the crew showerless and shaveless for two weeks. I was dreading six months of those shenanigans but we got things patched up during our visit to Pearl Harbor.
What strikes me about this short letter is the enthusiasm it contains for what I’m doing. I believe I was sincere with my “getting paid to do this” remark. In spite of this, though, it’s clear I’m still looking forward to attending college, though returning after college as a junior officer was still something I was considering.
Saturday, 3 February 1990 [age:21]
Dear Grandma,
Thank you so much for your card for my birthday, and for Charlie’s letter in it. His handwriting is so much better than mine. I bet he’s really grown. I remember seeing the tape Dad took when the family was at your house last summer – but it really has been a while since he’s seen me.
I am currently off the southern California coast just floating around doing exercises. It’s the third day of deployment and although things kinda got off to a rocky (and I mean rocky) start, we are all psyched-up and ready to go. I will be in Hawaii in less than two weeks – ahhh! And to think I’m getting PAID to do this!I don’t know if the mail will be out on time or not but I will try to write Charlie and mail it today with this letter. Last time we were out the mail service was not too reliable and I am learning not to pass it up when I can. Luckily, I am getting used to a lot of things in the Navy…
I am quickly reaching the halfway point in my enlistment. Probably by the time you read this (Feb 14) I will have less than two years left. The first two have gone by very quickly and I’m sure the last two will, too. It’s come down to choosing the college I will be attending in 1992…
Oh well, better start Charlie’s letter. Thanks for the card and letters and expect to hear from me again soon.
Love,
Mark