Lt (j.g.) Gilbert
Steingart
USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San
FranciscoThursday 5 October 1944, 10:05 PM
Dearest Eleanor,
This has been
a busy day for me but I didn't do any dentistry. This morning I got a jeep and chased over to
a supply depot and picked up a mess of recreational gear for the ship. It doesn't sound like much but one can sure
waste a lot of time doing nothing. This
afternoon I went to the district library to see how many more books I could
chisel for the ship. Didn't do too badly
as I was able to get 260 volumes--that is they are promised, but I feel certain
that I'll get them. Then I returned and
found a letter from your mother and you.
Glad you went
out and had a pleasant evening. You must
have a little recreation once in a while. See that you get it. That is an
order! You didn't enclose Edna's
letter--guess I'll get it in the next mail.
Nick and Wally are right in part.
Let's see what Leon says before I say any more. Anything new with Dave? I hope he makes officers' training but one
can't be sure until he is on his way.
Darling,
don't be so touchy about what people say.
Look at Jim Frug. He has been in
for a whale of a long time. Dr.
Symington and Dr. Ing didn't go just for the lark either. They were all released by the War Manpower
Commission when I was, and there wasn't much choice. Don't forget that a man isn't always as well
as he seems and Dr. Messer definitely is not well. He managed to stay out but I'd rather be well
and doing my share. I'll still have my
health when I return and we'll have many years together and they'll be happy
ones. I'll say you're a bit "balmy," but you'd better not
wait until I get home to get over it.
You have as big a job at home as I have here and I expect you to do as
good a job of it as I'm trying to do.
The weather
here is also perfect. It is warm in the
sun but cool in the shade and at night there is quite a breeze blowing down
from the hills.
I wish I
could see my girls growing up but your comments on them will have to do for the
time being. Then when I get home I'll
see if you kept me up to date.
I've got
quite an accumulation of gifts collected up but I'm going to wait until a few
days before we shove and then send them all in one package. It will be you job to distribute the gifts as
you see fit. I hope your song books get
here soon so I can use them while we are under way.
As far as
food goes we get plenty of it and it's really OK. I'd love some of your "Brownies." Do you think, though,
that they'd be fresh and whole by the time they arrived? I'll let you be the judge.
Glad to here
you got another woman. Hope she pans out
OK.
Do you
remember the date we made with Belle and Charlie to go to Alaska? Well I
dropped them a note last night. After
the war let's keep that date. I still
expect to take a month off each year.
Tomorrow will
be another busy day. Remember the ship's
outing I told you about several weeks ago?
Well the men liked it so much that I've arranged another one and I'm
going along in the morning. We'll leave
early so I'm going to close this letter tonight.
Haven't I
told you I love you darling? How can I tell you how much on paper? Well just wait until I get back! Good night, sweetheart!
Lovingly'
Gil
P.S. Just reread this letter and that item about seeing that
you get it. "It" means a little recreation in good company. Sounded funny so the addition. One never know what "it" can refer
to can one? Night again Sweet and here is a big kiss!
