My parents are no longer with me.  It has been several years since their passing, and the pain of their absence has faded.  I want to tell their story, not wanting it to be lost.  There are things that I would love to ask them, but of course that is no longer possible. 

This blog will start with entries from my Dad's diary, during WWII.  He kept it when he was in submarine training.  When he shipped out he gave the diary for my mother to read, and she as well as other family members made entries below his.  There entries where probably made as they read the diary and did not line up with the diary's dates. 

My dad and mother met at a camp that my mom's little brother attended.  Dad was my uncle's camp counselor, and Mom and her parents where visiting.  Later mom and Dad went to High school together.  They where about a year apart in school.  My mother, Betty Cuppy, was born on March 23, 1926.  My Father, Robert Bell was born on August 23, 1925.  They Lived in Indianapolis, Indiana.

I think my parents started dating once Mom started High School.  Dad saved his lunch money so he could take her on dates.  He walked her home everyday carrying her books.  Iola, Mom's mother, would feed my dad after school because she knew he had was skipping lunch.

I realize that photos would be good but they are up north.  I do not plan to go north until the cold clears as I now live in Florida.  Photos will have wait until later.

Tomorrow I will post the first Diary entry, being January 1.

Across from the title page:  "If need give this diary to my sweetheart.  It is as much hers as it is Mine.  Robert Richard Bell Feb.13 1944
TM 3/c U.S.N.R.  (Torpedo Man third class)
U.S.N.R.
293-10-60"

On the title page: 
"1943  Entered the Navy June 21 T.M. 3/c
          Left boots Aug. 11

1944  Entered sub school June 7."

Dad said he joined the Navy because he thought he would fair better on a submarine than being in a foxhole in hand to hand combat.  He enlisted after graduation from high school so he would have a choice.