Fourteen Fillings and Three Extractions

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Tuesday 6 March 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          I really worked this morning.  I only saw five patients but the count for the morning was fourteen fillings and three extractions.  Besides that there were a couple examinations and a denture adjustments thrown in.

          I hit the jackpot this morning.  I got nine letters and a card from you, a card from Linda, and a letter from Ruth.  I also got a snapshot album from the Goodfriends and a can of almond butter crunch from Deb and Dave.  The album is very nice and covered with tan leather.  The candy is delicious and is practically gone.  Everyone enjoyed it.

          This afternoon I attended to my Mother's Day shopping.  Saw two more patients and then got forty-five minutes of sun.  After that I had my hair cut, returned to my room and censored some mail.  By then it was 5:15 so I showered and dressed for dinner.  After chow we enjoyed the cool breezes and the usual pretty sunset and here I am.

          Honey, I know you are busy and if you don't get a letter off right on time don't let it worry you.  I still have the sweetest, truest, most loving wife of any man aboard and I will understand.

          I'm glad you enjoyed the ballet and it's a date for next season--just you and I.                   

          It is swell about Deb and Dave.  Whether it's an accident or intentional I know they'll be happier for it in years to come.  Yes dear it is their show and none of your business anymore than it was theirs when you were infanticipating. 

          Honey your outlook on life bothers me.  You hate to see anyone happy or making money and seem to delight when upsetting things happen to others.  I know they say "misery loves company," but you never were that way.  When I come back I want you to be as I knew you, a lovely gal with a great big heart.  Please understand Dear that what I'm saying is not a reproval but rather that you were so much happier with your previous attitude.  I won't say anymore about it, but please snap out of it.

          Unless he is very careful about the care of his feet, Dick's athlete's foot business will be recurring as long as he's in the Army.  We have it aboard and it's a "bitch" to cure.

          I'm placing the bag and bracelets on my list.  Hope we get to somewhere that I may be able to buy some more novelties.

          The donations to the center fund are very heartwarming.  It is an important project and will do our community more good than any temple ever did or will.  I'm just sorry that some of the diehards won't quit and continue to block any attempt to accomplish anything worthwhile.

          The movie tonight is "The Angels Sing," with McMurray, Dorothy Lamour and Betty Hutton.  It's 4.0.

          I'm all run out for now so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Sweetheart and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

105 Degrees In The Shade

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Friday 24 November 1944, 9:20 PM

My Dearest,

          Here it is Friday, a whole week has passed and still no mail.  However I know that it isn't because you haven't written.  You see no one else has received any either.  All I can say of the mail service out here is that it is lousy.

          The movie last night was "Star Spangled Rhythm" with Eddie Bracken, Betty Hutton and the best of Paramount Stars.  We saw it years ago together and now I've seen it alone.  Tonight we had another oldie "Road to Morocco" with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour.

          Today was just another day.  The thermometer registered from 97-105 degrees in the shade.  I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't read the temperature myself.  This morning I turned out nine fillings, two extractions and a gum treatment.  After lunch I took a boat over to another ship and arranged with the chaplain aboard to conduct services on the Ocelot Sunday.  He is Catholic and promised to bring along a Protestant chaplain as well.  I do hope it works out.

          Outside of that there is nothing new or exacting.--just the same everyday routine.  Gee, next week is your birthday and here we are thousands of miles apart.  Well, this will be the as well as the first that we'll be apart.

          How are my girls doing?  Do they still talk about their daddy?  By the time I get back I'll be a total stranger to Norma and almost that to Linda.  Yet she remembered Leon when she was much younger and that is a happy thought.

          Talking about Leon, he never did answer my letter and so help me. I'm really going to tell him off when that opportunity presents.

          Have you been doing any more teaching?  Are you still going out for an evening?  There are so many things I want to know and I'm sure when that stack of mail does arrive all my questions will be answered.

          Darling, do you remember those happy sessions on the studio couch in the Admiral Apartments?  Well, after the war, I've got some new ideas we'll have to try out.  You see I have plenty of time now to think about all the wonderful times we had together and also to plan all the things we'll do in the future.

          Good night my Sweet.  I'm going to close with loving thoughts of days gone by.  I love you so!

Your devoted husband,

Gil

 

You May Not Get Mail Regularly

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
              Sunday 22 October 1944, 9:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, did you have a pleasant Sunday?  Today is the day I usually spent with my girls. Oh well, after this is all over there'll be lots of Sundays for you and me with our two girls to keep us busy.

          This has been a rather quiet day.  I worked all morning and part of the afternoon.  About 3 o'clock I broke out a new phonograph we got and some recordings of radio programs.  We had a little trouble getting the machine hooked up but finally did.  Then we tried out a few of the programs and they will be swell when radio reception isn't favorable.

          The movie this evening was a real "oldie" but quite enjoyable--Bob Hope and Betty Hutton in "Let's Face It."  Although I had seen it before I got a lot of laughs out of it so it must have been good entertainment.

          What did you do today? Did you go over to Ruth's and have dinner there or is that program discontinued? I had expected to see Al today but it was impossible to reach him and I had the medical duty aboard.

          Please darling, be patient come what may.  You may not get all the answers and get mail regularly but believe me I love you, always have and always will.

          For a change,  this has been a cool and comfortable day.  A few clouds in the sky do make a difference especially when they get in the way of the sun.

          Sweetheart do you remember how you always had to prod me to write a letter.  Well dear after the war you are once again appointed official correspondent for the Steingarts.

          Good night darling and pleasant dreams.  Love and kisses to you and a couple of hugs for our girls.

Lovingly

Gil