June 12, 1919

​

Dear Mama,

​

               Please forgive me for not writing sooner but as I have been very busy of late have been putting it off, we leave to-morrow for Europe. Our first step will be Ponta Degoda[1], in the Azores, from there I don’t know where we will go to, as it is very uncertain. Suppose by now that all of the kids are at home and things are pretty lively.

               Has papa cut his wheat yet and if so how much does he think it will average to the acre? Suppose the boys are working hard on the farm this summer, is Mr. Hill still with papa. I have given up all hope of getting out of the Navy at present, because if I get away from this coast it is hard telling when I will be able to get out.

               Tell Charles[2] I will lend him my glasses , or better still, tell him I will give him my glasses as a graduating present, wanted to send him some money, but at the time I did not have any. Tell him to write to me. About these letters of B.S. I sent home, seems to me you would have enough sense of honor not to send those letters unless I told you to. Truly I think it was a rather common think to do, even if you are my parents, there are some things in one’s life that I don’t think it is anyones business but their own. However after this, we will see how much you find out about my present affairs.

               We are getting underway early to-morrow so am going to turn in, as we have eight long days of sea before we hit our next stop. don’t know when you will hear from me again as mail in Europe is very uncertain.

​

                              Ford

​

My address will be – Ens[3] F. K. Lucas, U.S.N

U.S.S. McCalla

To Post Master

New. York.

 

 

​

[1] Ponta Delgada is the (unofficial) capital of the Azores Islands off the coast of Portugal. It was used in World War I as a naval base and had also held a naval hospital.

[2] Brother; Charles Lucas (age 20).

[3] Ensign: lowest rank in the Navy, equating to Lieutenant in the Marines.