Journaling:
It was 1958 and Alaska was still a territory. Moms first surviving letter was penned on our first overseas assignment, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska. Yes, Alaska is considered an overseas tour of duty.

Previously we had tours at Travis Air Force Base, California, where I was born, and Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. I was three months old when we drove to South Dakota spending most of my time sleeping in a basket. Maybe thats why I like baskets as much as I do. Seven months after reporting to Ellsworth we were transferred to Elmendorf. Taking the long way, we drove to New York to see Dads side of the family. Driving back to California we got as far as Beloit, Wisconsin before Mom who was eight months pregnant with John, couldnt take the driving anymore. Mom and I stayed with Moms sister, Betty, and her husband while Dad continued to California. On my first birthday, Mom and I flew from Chicago to San Francisco where Dad picked us up at the airport. John was born a month later.

Mom, John, and I stayed with moms parents while Dad continued on to Alaska to secure off-base housing. Five months after Dad picked us up in San Franciso our next family expedition started. Dad was granted leave to come to California and travel with us. We drove from Santa Rosa, California to Seattle, Washington where we boarded the General M. M. Patrick, a troopship for Port Whittier, Alaska. From there we took a train to Anchorage, Alaska.

Son, John was five months old and sick with asthmatic bronchitis when we left Santa Rosa. The doctors wanted to put him in the hospital, but Mom said, "No way, were on our way to Alaska." The doctor relented on the condition that they buy a humidifier and use it at night. The first night we stayed in a motel in Oregon. The humidifier was set up and off to sleep we went. In the morning we awoke to find water dripping down all the walls and from the ceiling. It took Mom and Dad more than an hour to wipe up all that water.

With the walls dried and the car loaded it was off to Fort Lawton, Washington. Where we would stay the night before boarding the ship to Alaska. We were billeted at the Hostess House which was the old Fort Lawton hospital. Our quarters were an old operating room.

Assets Used
Anna Aspnes

Artsy Layered Template No. 249 https://www.oscraps.com/shop/Artsy-Layered-Template-No.-249.html
Artsy Layered Template No. 265 https://www.oscraps.com/shop/Artsy-Layered-Template-No.-265.html
ArtPlay Palette Bravura https://www.oscraps.com/shop/ArtPlay-Palette-Bravura-.html
MultiMedia Flowers No. 5 https://www.oscraps.com/shop/MultiMedia-Flowers-No.-5-.html
UrbanStitchez No. 1 https://www.oscraps.com/shop/images/T/xctmp9IZS8q.png
ArtPlay Palette Confluence Awake Class
ArtPlay Palette Brumal https://www.oscraps.com/shop/images/T/AASPN_ArtPlayPaletteBrumal.jpg
ArtPlay Palette Autumn Rust https://www.oscraps.com/shop/ArtPlay-Palette-Autumn-Rust.html
ArtPlay Palette Noble https://www.oscraps.com/shop/ArtPlay-Palette-Noble.html

Additional Resources
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