Dear Folks: Letters Home from the Navy

Elaine
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Personal Journals

Hear what it was like to join the United States Navy in 1955, when American optimism was high, gas cost 29 cents per gallon, and Dwight D. Eisenhower conducted the first televised presidential news conference. In letters home to his parents my father narrated a mid-century sailor's experience, from boot camp to the Western Pacific. If you enjoy nostalgia, military history, or memoirs, this is the podcast for you. I'm Elaine, Ken's daughter, and this is my father's story. Join me weekly as I read Dad's letters, and please write soon!

Episodes

  1. 06/06/2020

    S1:E5: The Rest of Boot Camp "I'm real happy because we found out where we're going"

    With Service Week behind him, Dad goes firefighting and rowing boats out on the lake, gets a few more liberties, marches in another Chicago parade, does not enjoy the climate, and at long last finds out where he's going to be stationed after graduating from boot camp!      Support the show

    S1:E5: The Rest of Boot Camp "I'm real happy because we found out where we're going"

  2. 05/29/2020

    S1:E4: Service Week "Our company commander warned us that we'd better not do any drinking"

    Dad goes on Service Week, gets his first liberty, and wonders if he should take communion and get a tattoo. He hopes to find out soon if he gets into Electronics school and that he gets stationed in San Diego after boot camp. It sure is hot at Great Lakes, and firefighting and rowing on the lake are coming up!            Support the show

    S1:E4: Service Week "Our company commander warned us that we'd better not do any drinking"

  3. 05/15/2020

    S1:E3: Camp Dewey "We went through the gas chamber on Tuesday"

    Dad looks forward to his first liberty, goes through the gas chamber, and won't get to march in parades with the drum and bugle corps because he'll be on Service Week   Support the show

    S1:E3: Camp Dewey "We went through the gas chamber on Tuesday"

  4. 05/08/2020

    S1:E2: Great Lakes Naval Station "The Navy must have plenty of beans on hand..."

    Dad moves from Camp Barry to Camp Dewey. does a lot of marching with his rifle, and buys a pillowcase at the PX. So far this Navy life isn't exactly what he expected, but he's starting to get letters from home and he has a buddy. Did he mention he's in the drum and bugle corps? Support the show

    S1:E2: Great Lakes Naval Station "The Navy must have plenty of beans on hand..."

  5. 04/25/2020

    S1:E1: Off to Boot Camp

    In this episode, Dad leaves Colorado to join the Navy, has to give up his hair oil and arrives bootside. He's in the Navy now!      Support the show

    S1:E1: Off to Boot Camp

  6. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    Dear Folks Season 1 Trailer

    Trailer for season 1 of Dear Folks: Letters Home from the Navy. In season 1, I read my Dad's letters he wrote home to his family from boot camp after leaving his small down in Colorado in 1955.      Support the show

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Hear what it was like to join the United States Navy in 1955, when American optimism was high, gas cost 29 cents per gallon, and Dwight D. Eisenhower conducted the first televised presidential news conference. In letters home to his parents my father narrated a mid-century sailor's experience, from boot camp to the Western Pacific. If you enjoy nostalgia, military history, or memoirs, this is the podcast for you. I'm Elaine, Ken's daughter, and this is my father's story. Join me weekly as I read Dad's letters, and please write soon!

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