[JonoBN41]

[The final letter in this collection is not from Gordon at all, but rather from his cousin Jack in San Diego, sent via Airmail to him, three years after the letter above. By 1943, World War II is in full swing and it appears Gordon is about to graduate with a commission in the Navy.]

Feb 28, 1943

Dear Gordon,

Well I got back in San Diego this morning at $10:00,
oclock, not dollars. I had a swell time both at home and
at Jeans. I’m sorry I didn’t get down to see you but, I
came home a different way which cut off about 11 hrs.
traveling. I came home thru Buffalo instead of New
York.
Auntie, you mother, spoke as if you had some questions
you wanted answered. I don’t know much about how
the officers live, so I can’t help you much. But you’ll
get along all right because I imagine it’s just like school
was. It takes a little bit of time to
(over)
become accustomed to the change and then everything
is all right. The navy is a pretty good outfit to be in
right now.
I suppose you are glad school is nearly over so that you
can get started at something a little different. It will
probably be tough at first, but it doesn’t take long to get
used to it.
That’s enough of that chatter tho, and to get started on
something different. I did some tobboganing at Jeans
while I was their. We had a heck of a lot of fun. If we
weren’t at war I might even consider moving. Maybe
I’m lucky we are at war. Eh what!
I have already written six letters and have a couple
more to write after this. Some fun.
I had a swell time going and coming on the bus. There
was a mess of women traveling and did I have fun.
Things at home are so dead it isn’t even funny. All the
fellows my age are in College or the service now. And
the girls I used to date are all married, or at college, or
working some place. Even at that I got around a little
bit as Jim Leighton got home at the same time and we
had his dad’s car all the time.
I saw Evans City beat Mars & Zelie at basketball while
I was home anyway. They were the first ball games I
had seen for two years. I’ve been in the navy about
15 mo. now. It doesn’t seem that long but it is.
I suppose you are pretty busy right now, as you get
ready to graduate. But if you do get time drop me a line
and ask any thing you want to know. If I can answer it
I will, so don’t hesitate.
Good luck Gordon and maybe we’ll meet somewhere.
Maybe we’ll ty up along each other.

So Long,
Jack


So ends this collection of letters from the time of the merger of Theta Kappa Nu with Lambda Chi Alpha. Brother Gordon did survive World War II and married a girl from Pittsburgh named Martha, who passed away in 2002 at the age of 81. Together they had five children – three girls and two boys.

As of 2003, Gordon was still going strong, attending reunions at Gettysburg College, and trying to stay out of trouble. More fun, more people killed.

In ZAX,
Jono