I found this postcard in an antique shop years ago.  I bought it for the image on the front, but on the back is a part of a letter, the top of the “page” marked “2.”  Contextually, I believe it to be a “love letter” to a sailor named Fred.  Sometimes we can skip the in depth history and just make that personal connection to people from decades (even centuries ago.

The below transcription is only edited for punctuation.

“…but I will wait if I may say so, Fred.  I hope when you come back you will not go away again as its a hard thing to bear.  To see you go away so long seems cruel, as I don’t think you were meant for the Navy.  I don’t know why you ever joined it.  I only wish that I had met you sooner, then it would not been the place for you.  But, I suppose our day is coming.  [I] Don’t care, Fred, I will….”

Did Fred and this unknown young lady ever have their day?