Postcard from Dad to Jack...Aug. 19, 1954

This is a postcard that my Dad (38), Amel sent to my brother Jack on August 19, 1951. The postcard has a picture of Suntan Beach and a pier in San Clemente, California. According to a conversation that I had this morning with my brother, I learned that my parents traveled from St. Louis by car to visit my sister, Mary (20) who was married at that time to a soldier by the name of Jim Masconi (sp) who was stationed in Oceanside, California. I believe that Jim was a Marine and was stationed at Camp Pendelton. Jack told me that Mary & Jim had lived just a few blocks from the beach. I believe that my parents made this trip by themselves and Jack, JoAnn, and myself went to stay on our Grandpa Simmons' farm in Salem, Missouri. The farm is where my Dad was raised.

Jack also mentioned that in about 1954-5, our family returned to this area again by car. That was a long haul by car back then as my parents drove JoAnn (13), Jack(12), and myself (3) on the famous Route 66. This trip was probably made because my niece, Karen was born in March of 1954 to Mary & Jim.

Jack said he would curl up and sleep on the floorboard of the front passenger side. My brother also spoke of my Mom (35), Virginia driving thru winding turns thru the mountains. Myself, I would have been 3-4 years old and I remember the canvas water bags that cars had that were hung near the radiator in front. This extra water could be used for getting a drink or to add as coolant if the car overheated.