Today is January 13, 2015 and I'm trying to get back my "groove" of working on my Emil Narick blog. Need to reorganize my research and get with the program. Here's hoping I can get with it :)

Update after Pearl Harbor Tour

July 15, 2013

I've not posted any updates regarding Emil and Rebecca in about one year but plan on getting back on track soon.  I have been blessed with getting to retire from work (40 years) and have found that my life stays quite busy. 

Had the fortunate opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor and tour the USS Missouri (where the Japanese surrendered in WW II) and the USS Arizona memorial.  Those moments during our tours were very moving and made me really conect to the that time in U.S. history when our Country was at war. Not only fighting the Germans but also the Japanese.  Our way of life as we knew it at that time (1941-1945) was being threatened and Americans did as they needed to do...they "signed up" to defend our glorious red, white and blue. Emil Narick being one of them.  Those Americans that couldn't serve in the armed servies, did their part by working in industries that supported the war effort.  

I proud I feel that I can share these letters and bits of Emil and Rebecca's history with all of you. 

Emil and Rebecca Wed

Letter to the Nays May 26, 1943

Army Air Base
A.T.C.
Homestead, Florida

May 26, 1943
Wed. Night

Dearest Mother and Dad,
This letter I'm writing everyday in my mind when I think of the Nays. Becky has told me about your getting us a Portable Radio and also arranging for the car, not to mention the many other things.  These are beautiful surprises to me and it seems you always do the spectacular  things when it comes to gifts.  I know I'm speaking for our Becca when I say we'll never be able to thank you enough.  Your swell and we love you so very much---your so grand to have as our favorite rooters now and forever.  We'll always make you proud of our family.  This is so very hard to be able to write the feelings of appreciation and thanks, but always remember we're thanking you with all our heart and we'll never forget.  I know you'll understand this feeling which when I try to do it justice always leaves me wordless.  I'm so darn anxious to see you when I can thank you and be with you again.  It won't be long now and with each day I'm getting more excited.

Dad thanks so very much for handling the paper work on the car deal.  I've complied with all papers and they should be back to you by now.  Right now I'm sweating out finding a house for us.  I have one I can have by June 15th.  But I want to look around some more.  But I assure you I'll have a house by the 15th so you all can stay in it until we're married.

The church is arranged now.  We'll have an organist, and a soloist, Capt. Crawford, who wrote the Air Corps Song.  I'm planning on inviting most of the permanent officers I know and some of the enlisted men that I've known in my work.

My chief purpose in writing this letter is what I've stated and that is to thank you for everything and also praying that mother is feeling well now and up and around.  I'm thinking of you always and anxiously waiting when we can be together soon.  This can't be too soon.

Now I'll write my date letter to our Becca.  We're sort of busy making all the final plans.  Golly I love my Sweetheart more than Becca will ever know.  Life will really begin for us and I'm so darn proud.  Becca will help me so darn much in anything that I'll ever do.  She'll be my chief adviser and inspiration forever.  This means so very much to me and I'll love the pleasant responsibility of continuing where you left off.  I want Becca to be happy always.  It's going to be so nice to have our little family plans and working together forever. This will be heaven.

No dear mother and dad I'll close now and keep counting the days until when I can see you all and keep thanking you ore.  Goodnight now with......

Loads of Love
Emil

Here is a hand addressed envelope from Emil to Becky's folks, just a month away from Emil and Becky getting married.  The content of the letter will follow on a separate post.

Emil and Rebecca College Crowd

Blog followers, can any of you identify the dome shape under the table where Rebecca sitting?

PHOTOS OF EMIL'S BARRACKS IN FLORIDA

These are photos, dated 4/28/43 of the barracks when Emil was stationed at Homestead Field with the Army Air Corps in Florida. The captions beside the 2 photos of the barracks are in Emil's hand writing. These photos are the ones at the top and the bottom of the page. The caption of the top photo says "Just Posing". Also, on the photo on the bottom, the roommate Lt. Harold Learned (best man at Emil's and Becky's wedding) is shown. Not sure though which of the men is Learned. The caption states "Back view of "Shangri-La" with roommates Aaron and Learned in the doorways. The sign on the front of the barracks (which the photo doesn't show) has a sign which says Shangri-La, Who Dat say ""Who dat man when I say ""Who Dat"". Emil writes that there's a story about this Who Dat saying that comes from Africa.

Peronal Note: I, (Nancy) remember my father in law, Warren Green, World War II veteran saying Who Dat!

The photo in the center is a pic of Emil (third from l-r) with a date on the photo 18 April 45 with a Dr. E. S. Nelson, lecturer.