Wartime Letters Reflect Sacrifices During Long Separation
Like millions of American couples, Johnnie & Lillie Sulak of La Grange relied on letters to stay in touch during World War II
In 1941 when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entered World War II, John L. “Johnnie” Sulak was the busy managing editor of The Fayette County Record in La Grange. Although the 34-year-old journalist wasn’t in line to be drafted because of his age, he volunteered to serve his country.
Johnnie’s departure on Dec. 9, 1942, was painful for his wife of five years, Lillie Kallus Sulak. It also created a hardship for his father, L.J. Sulak, who had founded the newspaper in 1922 and served as its publisher. Following his son’s departure, Mr. Sulak stepped in as editor, too.
At that time, many skilled workers either had left rural areas to work in plants producing war materials or were joining the military. Therefore, small businesses were finding it more and more difficult to hire qualified staff. For that reason, Lillie quit her teaching job at Rabbs Prairie School and went to work at The Record.
A graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin, Johnnie was assigned as a radarman to the USS Monongahela, a U.S. Navy oil tanker in the Pacific. He was responsible for operating and maintaining the revolutionary new technology of radio-based detection and tracking installed and electronic warfare equipment on the ship.
While parted for 33 months, the couple exchanged more than 800 letters reflecting their sustaining love, challenges on the home front and glimpses into U.S. Navy life that the censors allowed. Of course, both Johnnie and Lillie eagerly shared news about their family and friends.
Some of the most touching correspondence describes events surrounding their sixth wedding anniversary from Lillie’s viewpoint and their eighth from Johnnie’s perspective. Lillie’s carefully composed letters were tapped out on a manual typewriter after work when other employees in The Record office had left for the day. Johnnie wrote his responses in longhand.
Excerpts of four letters they wrote in 1943, 1944 and 1945 follow.
A letter from Lillie
May 18, 1942
La Grange, Texas
Dearest Sweetheart,
Gee, Darling, I have really been thinking of you today on our day, but knowing that it is impossible to be together, I have tried to make the most of it and tried to look forward to the day when we can be together again. I went to Mass and Communion this morning and offered them both for the intention I pray for every day and for usual intention we have had on our anniversary.
At noon, Mama had a real good dinner. Chicken fried steak, etc. When I came home from lunch, Lena (Johnnie’s sister) asked me to come to their house with her and, of course, there I received my surprise. Gee, Darling, that was the sweetest thing you could have done for me.
The record worked fine on their Victrola and since then I have borrowed a phonograph and have it at home. I have played the record so many times that I almost have the words memorized. Lena said you had a little trouble hearing it there, but we can understand every word of it. You have to listen carefully however. The card from you came in this afternoon and it’s believe me it surely is pretty.
I’m just sorry that you couldn’t receive anything from me today. I did send a card but of course, I’m sure you won’t get it until later. (Johnnie was out at sea.) Wish I could just grab you and hold you tight.
Yes, last year this time, we were together and celebrated together at the park. I thought I’d get the same crowd over tonight and we could play cards. I’d be just too lonesome if I didn’t. Babe and Katherine (Spacek) couldn’t come because they were going to see Gussie and Delta (Spacek). There will be 10 of us so I don’t know just how we will arrange our games but maybe some of us can play bridge and the others play the other. I’ll let them decide. I bought some Cokes and those cocktail snacks and that is what I will serve.
This afternoon before closing (at the paper), I bought everyone at the office a drink because I felt that if you were here that is what you would do, and I felt that is what you wanted me to do.
Gee, I love you so! Lillie
A follow-up letter from Lillie
Wednesday, May 19, 1943
Dearest Sweetheart,
Thought I’d write and give you a little report about last night. Just a short while before eight, your Mother and Dad came over, brought an anniversary card, and inside was a $5 bill. Of course, I played the record over for them, and they thought it was awfully sweet.
Then Louis and Nita (Zapalac) came and a little later Agnes and Bingo (Kallus). Agnes remembered the day and brought a nicely wrapped package of dewberries, just enough for a pie. Then Lena came and she brought a cute card and a little package of sugar as the sixth anniversary is sugar.
When Dorothy and Doc (Darilek) came, they brought a little package too. Dorothy thought it was our seventh and that is wool and the nearest thing to wool (she could find) was a little lamb.
Of course, I didn’t expect anyone to remember our anniversary. The Yates and the Zapalacs said they didn’t think about it.
Your Mother and Dad stayed a while. Your Dad had to take Bingo and Bobby (Kallus) to town for an ice cream cone. Ernest had a previous engagement to go fishing, so he couldn’t come. Agnes didn’t play so there were eight of us playing.
My anniversary luck ran true to form. I lost 48¢ and Lena lost 5¢. We had a real nice time. I played my recording for them and they all liked it. Annie Helen said she would bring Nancy over to hear your voice.
After they left, I went in and played it again. It surely did make me feel good.
Oh, yes, Mamma gave me a nice glass butter dish that she knew I needed. Boy, Honey, when we do get together we surely will celebrate!
I took the $5 your Mother and Dad gave us and bought some stamps. I first thought I would write a check for the difference and buy a bond, but then I thought I’d better wait and see if I need the money to make a trip to California to visit you next month. I can always buy one if I don’t go.
Well Sweetie Pie, it is time for me to go play some cards so I guess I’ll have to close, as I believe this is all I know anyway. Gee, Sweetheart, I still love you always and think of you all the time. Thanks again for making our anniversary so nice for me. I just hope you have gotten some mail from me by now. Be sweet. I love you truly, Lillie
A letter from Johnnie
May 18, 1944
Dearest Lillie,
You can well imagine how happy I was when I tell you that the stack of mail I was hoping for was waiting for me when we reached port. There were 19 letters in all – yours of April 3, 6, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 29, and May 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 (2) and 11; Dad’s Easter card from Mrs. Green and a letter from the Blacks. To top that off, I received another of your letters today, that of the 14th, which incidentally made wonderful time. It took me quite a while to read and re-read all of these letters and to look over the seven issues of The Record, but it was time I was happy to put in. I would be willing to do so more often!
I don’t know whether you noticed the date of this letter, but I’m sure that on this day your thoughts have been on a certain happy event of seven years ago. I have been thinking of it all day. In fact, I started thinking a lot about it yesterday when I had liberty. Naturally, I had to celebrate a bit, especially since I was on duty today.
In this connection, I am glad to know that you were pleased with the little anniversary gift and that it reached you in time. Your sweet letter card also arrived in time and I expect that your package will be here shortly. Thanks for the sweet sentiments expressed and you may be assured that they are mutual.
I mentioned earlier that I had liberty yesterday. I really didn’t do much but sit around sipping a cooling drink and just shooting the breeze. I took time out, though, to get a few little pictures made, some of which are enclosed. How do you like your Clark Gable? Still want me to shave it off before I come home?
Well, honey, that’s all for this time. I’ll say so long and crawl into my bunk and dream of you!
Be sweet and remember that I love you more than I can tell!
All my love,
Johnnie
In 1945, when the Sulaks were still no closer to being together for their eighth wedding anniversary, Johnnie penned this message of hope and reassurance.
A letter from Johnnie
April 27, 1945
Dearest Sweetheart,
Soon another wedding anniversary will be rolling around, our third apart. Little did we think eight years ago that we would ever be separated by such a great distance or for so long a time? Even three years ago, when our separation appeared inevitable, we did not realize it would be for so long. The weeks have rolled into months and the months into years and still the time for our permanent reunion is uncertain. During these many months,
During these many months, you have ever remained in my thoughts and in my heart. A day does not pass that you are not in my mind many times. A day does not pass but what I long to be with you. I am sure this will continue for neither time nor distance has dimmed my love for you. If anything, they have served to make it stronger, more durable than ever.
Although we cannot be together on this anniversary, you will know that I am with you in thought and spirit and mindful of all the happy anniversaries – indeed, of all the happy days, months and years – that we have spent together. My prayer will be that we may soon be reunited, not for just a few short days, which would certainly be welcome, but for the rest of our lives!
I am enclosing a small money order, which I want you to use for an anniversary present. It isn’t much but perhaps it will buy something that will add to your happiness and serve as a reminder of my love for you. Please accept it in that spirit.
Goodbye for now, my Sweetheart, and remember, I love you truly, Johnnie
When the war ended in 1945, the Monongahela happened to be in port and Lillie was with Johnnie at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco celebrating the captain’s birthday.
“When we received the message that the war really had ended, I tell you, there was some celebration with lots of drinks and whooping and hollering! Of course, we had food, too,” Lillie said many years later.
By that time, Lillie had worn out the recording that Johnnie made for her on their sixth wedding anniversary.
Johnnie received his discharge on Sept. 14, 1945, and returned to his job at The Fayette County Record, where he worked until his death in 1960 at the age of 53.
Lillie went on to work at The Fayette County Record for 57 years. She passed away on July 16, 2019, at the great age of 106. She had been a widow for 59 years.