In April 1944, Franklin was relocated
by ship to Schofield Barracks in central Oahu, Hawaii. Some of his training would include amphibious landings. Although he knew he was getting closer to the day he would be
deployed into battle, his spirits seem to have improved, writing that
"Hawaii has the climate that California thinks it has."
He also got a raise of 20 percent ($1.25 per month) for serving outside the
U.S. (Hawaii was not yet a state).
By this time, all of their
letters back home were being opened and read by military censors, to prevent sensitive information from being captured by the enemy. Therefore, he could no longer provide any information about his training.
4/11/44
Dear Mother,
Certainly seems wonderful to be on land again -- but I wish the land would stop moving!
We are now staying, for the moment, anyway, in the Hawiian (sp?) islands. Would like to have the opportunity to look around a bit. There's some possibility to obtain a pass after a certain number of days. Perhaps I'll be lucky.
~~~
Have any more pictures? By now you realize, I think, how much I enjoy them.
Love, Franklin
 |
| Enclosed Postcard |
Dear Mother,
Had a bit of luck yesterday. Completed a 24 hour guard about noon -- then signed for a pass, I was on my way by 1:00. A G.I. truck took us to Waikiki Beach -- all the way -- and no changes. We went swimming this time -- it was very nice. Had another steak dinner at that Chinese restaurant -- and then went to a movie in Honolulu. And returning to camp, we were again lucky -- a jeep accommodated us after only a short wait.
Received several letters from you today -- with widely ranging postmarks. Don't need to tell you how wonderful it is that you are writing so often. One letter contained a very nice picture of you -- it's evidently Easter -- seems you're holding a few roses ---
With love, Franklin
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