Robert Duane Conner(s)

Two Lowell men reported to the U.S. Naval Training Station here last week to begin their basic training to prepare them for duty aboard one of Uncle Sam's fighting warships.

The new bluejackets will receive careful instruction in a training program designed to toughen them physically and acquaint them with the fundamentals of seamanship and naval procedure. They will take a series of aptitude tests which will serve as a guide in an attempt to place them in the type of work for which they are best qualified.

Upon completing recruit training they will be granted a 9-day leave, at which time they probably will be home.

The new Lowell recruits are Robert Eugene Hatch, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Burlin F. Hatch, and Robert Duain Conners, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mack Conners.

Letters received by the Mac Connors from their son, Robert Connor, S 1/c, somewhere in the south Pacific with Uncle Sam's fleet, state that he is well and that the naval schedule again[st] the Japs is being kept up.

Mrs. Frank Viers and daughter, of Rantoul, Ill., spent several days here the past week with her parents, the Mac Connors, and her brother, S 2/c Robert Duane Connors, who was home on furlough. She informed us that the Ed Viers, who moved from here to Rantoul a few weeks ago, were nicely settled and like their new home very much.

S 2/c Robert Duane Connors was home with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mac Connors, from Saturday until Tuesday. He left on Tuesday for the naval base at Providence, R.I.

A Correction

Last week in this column we mentioned that Robert Duane Connors was home on leave, giving his rank as S 2/c, when it should have been S 1/c.

The following poem was sent by Robert Conner and his buddies, while at sea in the Southwest Pacific, to his sister, Mrs. Frank Viers of Rantoul, Ill.
Can't write a thing, the war's to blame
Just say that I'm well and sign my name,
Can't tell where I am, can't mention the date,
Can't even number the meals I ate,
Can't say where I'm going, don't know where I'll land,
Can't even inform you just how I stand.
Can't mention the snowflakes, not even the rain,
All military secrets must remain.
Can't use a flashlight to guide me by night,
Can't smoke a ciggie except out of sight.
Can't keep a diary, for such is a sin,
Can't keep the envelope your letter came in.
Can't say for sure just what I can write
So I'll call this my letter and close with "Goodnight".

To Return to New York

S 1/c Robert Conners will leave Friday morning to report back at his base in New York for sea duty after spending two weeks at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mack Conners of Lowell.

Returns to Base

Robert D. Conners, S 1/c, was granted another 8-day leave after reporting back to his base in New York on Sept. 22. He returned to Lowell to spend it with his wife and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mack Conners. He returned to his base again Oct. 1.

Mrs. Robert Conner of Crown Point, came to the home of her husband's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mack Conner, Monday night, to inform them she was leaving for a two week's vacation to be spent with her husband, Robert Conner, S 1/c, who is now stationed at Deland, Fla.

Mrs. Frank Viers and daughters, Linda Kay and Cheril Ann, of Rantoul, Ill., spent last week at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mack Conner, and also visited her brother, Robert, who has reported back to Great Lakes after spending the last three weeks at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Mack Conner and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Conner accompanied Mrs. Frank Viers and daughters back to Rantoul, Ill., last Sunday. They report running into a severe rain storm south of Kankakee enroute home.

Robert D. Conners, S 1/c and Harold M. Haberlin, F 1/c, have received their discharges from the navy at Great Lakes Naval Station, and are now at home here.