Can't attend B'nai B'rith Past Presidents Night

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
                     Friday 15 September 1944

Dear Earl,

          Just received your letter and am answering immediately.  I sure wish that I could attend the lodge meeting Past Presidents' night and help initiate the new members.  That being impossible will you please act as my proxy and convey my best wishes to the lodge and my congratulations to the new initiates.

          Through the bulletin and the news Eleanor writes me I am keeping up on lodge activities.  However, I have been wondering how the War Service Committee is getting along.  You know it was my baby last year and at the present time I feel it is as important a committee as any that we have.  How is the letter writing project going?  I never realized how important that was until I shipped out.  When a fellow is thousands of miles from home it's amazing to see how much of a lift a letter brings.  I sincerely hope that my not having received letters is no indication that the project has fallen by the wayside.

          I'd like to tell you all about my ship duties and whereabouts, but the censor would cut most of it out.  I can say that I am the only dentist aboard and that my office is as modernly equipped as was my office at home.  In addition to my professional duties for the ship, I act as Welfare Officer which includes arranging recreational activities.  In fact just recently our ship had an all day outing at a nearby beach.  All the beer and coke the crew could drink was on the house (ship).  Also charcoal broiled steaks and hot dogs.  We engaged in games of volleyball and baseball and swam in the ocean.  Everyone had such a good time that I'm planning another outing as soon as possible.  I am also acting as Division Officer for the "H" or Hospital Division.  All officers take turns censoring mail.  So you see with my extra professional duties, I manage to keep busy.

          Recently I stopped in at an Officers' Club for a drink and ran into Abe Weinberg.  What a jolly reunions that was.  As a matter of fact I am constantly running into people I knew in the states.

          I know you and the men are interested as to whether I've run into any discrimination.  No!  As a matter of fact I'm very surprised at the total absence of it.  The officers and men aboard seem to be very fine and accept men at face value.

          There isn't much more I can say now.  Convey my best wishes to all for a victorious New Year. I do hope that when the next Past Presidents' Night is held I shall be able to attend personally.

Sincerely and fraternally yours,

Gilbert Steingart

Stay Away From that Male Teacher or Papa Will Go Native

Friday 15 September 1944, 10:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just came out from the movie.  Saw Spencer Tracy in the "Seventh Cross."  It was intensely interesting and the suspense carried on to the very last scene.  See it if you get a chance.

          Got letters from Earl Bubar and Libby this morning and two from you this afternoon.  I immediately answered Earl and also wrote to Dr. Sieger, Dr. White and Miss Earnest.  Worked in my office the rest of the day. That is the way I passed my time today.

          You ask many questions in your Monday letter so here goes.  Yes, I received the taffy and wrote Linda and Norma a note.  You should have it by now.  I'll try to look up Al and Wally.  Can't write and tell them where I am or where to meet me because then I would be disclosing our whereabouts.  It may seem silly but that's the way it is.  Yes, I took something to the Rikes, a two week liquor ration and they were very pleased. I get all the current news via newspaper.  I've read a few mystery books but nothing exciting or worth talking about.  No cards thank you, but I do play checkers quite often.  The ship is a subscriber to several magazines although they are a little old when we get them.  No periodicals of a professional nature so far. 

          No Darling the way things are now I can't do any studying.  Not even much chance to play the accordion.  However it won't be long before I have all my comforts again.  Then maybe I'll do some of the things I've wanted to do.

          By the way, young lady, stay away from that male teacher or papa will go native.  I'm beginning to see why some men go native.  I really need you dear, but I'll put up with it as long as we can have our daily visits.

          I'm glad to hear that you are back teaching.  But Dear, even though you should keep busy, remember you have two girls to care for and you can't always find an Edna to care for them, even at $25 per week.  I've also made a note of the rings for my girls.

          Goodnight, Sweetheart, I love you, truly I do.  Do you remember eating cookies in the lower berth on the train to Frisco?  After the war we'll try that lower again.

Loving you always,

Gil

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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


 One evening in September 1944, Eleanor was  at the Florentine Gardens   

Left to right  Nick, Eleanor, Deb, Dave and 

 and Sol

For more about Florentine Gardens see http://dearoldhollywood.blogspot.com/2009/06/florentine-gardens-hollywood-nightspot.html

Liberty at a beautiful Honolulu home--The Willows Restaurant

Thursday, 14 September, 11:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Had liberty today and just got in.  First I stopped at a dental supply to get some teeth for a bridge I'm making.  Then Hansen and I had a couple of drinks and tried to do some shopping, but with no results.  I saw a cute house coat in a print for Linda but I wanted to get Norma one to match and they didn't have one.  I'll keep on looking until I find something in both sizes.

          Do you remember the dining car steward on the Challenger when we went east? A jolly Irishman. Always kidding.  Well we sat down for a drink and there was this civilian sitting there and kidding around.  We got to talking about the states and our home towns and all the time his face looked familiar.  When he mentioned being on the train I knew immediately where I had seen him before.  Anyway he told us about a place to go for a drink and a bite to eat.  We had a hard time finding it, but it was really worthwhile.  A beautiful home with gorgeous grounds was my first impression.  Umbrella tables and chairs were set out on the lawn and then there was a pagoda-like structure with more tables in that.  Besides this structure was a large pool just seething with fish of different varieties that I don't know.  But there were goldfish more than 12 inches long.  We threw bread on the water and the fish practically jumped out of the water to get it.  After spending a pleasant few hours there, Ambie and I returned to the ship.

          You've probably gathered by now that Ambie and I are pretty friendly.  Well, we are and we make all our liberties together.  He is a Swede, about 31, married with a daughter of six.  He is one heck of a lot of fun.  Good night dear, I'll finish in the morning.

Friday 8:15 AM

Good morning darling,

          Did you sleep well? 

          At breakfast, Ambie and I were telling the boys about the place we found and they all laughed at us.  You see Ambie is a

"Baron Munchhausen" and they think he dreamed this one up to.  However we'll show them.

          This being the 15th, I drew my semi-monthly pay and am wondering what to spend it on.  Since I left the states, money doesn't mean anything to me anymore.  I've got it and feel like spending it, after all that's what it's for.  You mentioned a wristwatch.  What kind would you like? I'd like to get you one for your birthday.  No use waiting until after the war.

          Got another note from Libby and one from Earl Bubar about Past President's Night at the B'nai B'rith.  I guess I'll have to write to the lodge now even if I don't feel like it.  In a few days now, Linda and Norma should be receiving their little surprise.  I hope they like it.

          Sweetheart, here I've raved for three pages and said very little but nonsense.  Do you remember the Colonial Mansion we stopped at in Upper New York with the twin double beds and I had a cold?  After the war, after Chicago, on our way to Philadelphia let's stop there.  I won't have a cold this time.

          How is school?  How did Linda like going back again?  Does Norma fuss when Linda goes or does she understand?  It's nine o'clock and I've a patient waiting.  So darling, goodbye until later.  I love you so.

Your husband

Gil

Lt. (j.g.) G. Steingart

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