I'm writing this that someday you can read and know some of what the world was like and what mine and Great Grandpapa's life was like.  
    We were both born in 1925 - this was before airplanes, television or anything that is part of your world now.  Most people did not have running water in their homes or any of the things I enjoyed when I was in my 20s. Great Grandpapa was born on a farm, he had to work hard but had plenty to eat, even during the Great Depression.  
    I ws the second of seven children.  My oldest sister went to live with my Grandmother after our father's death at the age of 39.  I was left as the oldest child at home, therefore I went to work at a very young age to help support my brothers and sisters.  There was no government welfare in those days,  and I'm sure my Mother would not have taken it even if there had been.  We were taught to work for our living instead of hand outs.  This has always been passed down through our family I'm proud to say.  
    After quite a few years working in Tulsa, I married your Great Grandpapa in 1945.  During World War II, Great Grandpapa served in the Submarine Service.  He made many patrols in the Pacific fighting against the Japan.  The Peace Treaty had not been signed when he came back from the war and we married.  We were stationed at Staten Island, New York, and Great Grandpapa was due to go back to sea to fight again when it was signed.  Great Grandpapa and I were so happy..  We saw the lights come on in New York City (there had been a black out of city lights during the War); heard all the shouting and joy of people knowing the War was over.  We also saw the sad faces of people who knew their sons would never come home again.  We saw the people who came back from years in concentration camps after being held by the Germans and Japanese.  
    We knew the happiness of knowing it was over.  No more  ration coupons to buy sugar, gas, shoes, tires, even washing machines and irons.  None of these items could be bought from 1941 to 1945.  In fact, it was 1947 before we were able to find a washing machine for sale.  But it seemed to really change people.  America pulled together during the War or we could never have won as we were almost disarmed when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.  
    After the War was over, it seemed that greed started setting in.  There weren't enough jobs for all the returning servicemen so Great Grandpapa stayed in the Navy (as I had known he would when I married him).  I remember saying to him, "now that we have peace, they won't need submarines much."  He, of course, informed me that we would never be at peace and must always be on the alert.  His words proved to be, sadly, true.  When Great Grandpapa joined the Navy, the subs were the old fleet type, when he retired, they were "nukes".  Now I'm getting ahead of my story...........  
    We moved from the New London. CON sub base to Key West, Florida.  That's where the greatest joy of our life occurred.  Your Grandma Rose was born.  We named her "Ruth" for my Mother and "Ann" for my little sister Anna who was an angel in heaven by then.  
    Key West was a beautiful island and, when the sub was in port, Great Grandpapa took your Grandma Rose fishing and bike riding.  However, Great Grandpapa was gone nine months of the year on sub patrol so your Grandma Rose and I did not see much of him while she was a little girl.  
    Of course, the Korean War came along, then Vietnam, with lost of "world crisis" in between and Great Grandpapa was involved in all of this which meant even more time on the submarine so your Grandma Rose and I spent more time wondering if we would ever see him again.  
    During this time, when your Grandma Rose was five years old, we spent 2 years in Texas where we saw television for the first time.  Your Grandma spent more time raiding than watching TV.  I did the same thing when I was her age except there was no TV then.  We both still enjoy reading more than TV to this day.  
    I am 72 years old as I write this so I shall tell you a little more about our life.  Great Grandpapa retired from the Navy after serving his country for 27 years, with your Grandma Rose and I following him around all those years.  We had some good times and, of course, some bad, as that's the way life is.  
    On Great Grandpapa's retirement from the Navy, we started Harrison Concrete Cutting.  Your Grandmother was grown and had married her first husband and both your Mother, Heather, and your Aunt Andrea had been born.  When your Mother was six and Aunt Andrea was 3, we took care of them during the day while your Grandma Rose worked because her marriage had ended.  Great Grandpapa and I had some wonderful times with our two granddaughters!  (have some great stories to tell you about the two of them in another letter)  We welcomed your Grandpa Rose to our family and to our hearts when he and your Grandma Rose were married in 1977.  
    When your Mother was 9 years years old, Great Grandpapa became very ill and remained so for almost 12 years.  He died at the age of 64 years, 6 months, but he had lots of great times with his "girls" before he got sick.  
   Abby, he would have loved you so very much, as your Great Grandma does and maybe by telling you a little about him, you will feel like you know him.  
    You also had a wonderful Great, Great Grandma (my Mother) and I'm sure your Grandma Rose can tell you about her someday.  
    I want you to know, my Darling, that you are my first Great Grandchild and you are so loved by all of us,  

Great Grandma Harrison  
(Glenna J. Harrison) 
November, 1997