Seven Bull's Eyes

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Friday February 11 1944

Dear  Eleanor,

          Went down to see the apartment. The neighborhood was not as desirable as some of the other units that these builders have, but as far as they know now there probably won't be anything else available until April.  This place was an upper and I can't see much sense in taking it with two kiddies.  However I didn't say anything definite but will let them know Monday after I've talked it over with you.

          I asked about a larger place and he suggested the three bedroom units being built by another outfit in Crown Point, twelve minutes by streetcar to downtown Diego.  I'll look into it tomorrow noon if possible.  If we could rent a three bedroom place I wouldn't want to buy anything. After I got back from the apartment "hunt" I went over to the pistol range and took some instruction in firing the gun.  Didn't do badly.  Out of 17 shots I got seven in the bull's eye.  I should be a fair shot with a little practice.

          God, this has been a long week.  Last night I went into town and made a hotel reservation for the twenty-forth at the Grant.  No trouble at all. 

          Wish this was Saturday so I could be leaving in the morning.  Guess I can hold out another day.  How are the kiddies?  This is the second day this week that I didn't get any mail from you.  By the way I got the wire yesterday (Thursday) morning at 9:30.  I guess there is no use wiring ever unless it can be delivered before 5:00 P.M.

          This is all till I get home Sunday. Love and kisses and a great big hug.

Your impatient hubby,

Gil

 

"To furnish volunteer aid to the sick and wounded of armies......" and "To act in matters of voluntary relief and in accord with the military and naval authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States of America and their Army and Navy......"  The Charter of The American National Red Cross.  By Act of Congress January 5, 1905.

 

 

 

"Sirs" and "May I"

AMERICAN RED CROSS

9 February 1944

1735 o'clock

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day gone and am I glad.  I had only three patients today and that was enough.  One had five cavities, another three and the last one twelve.  All were from a ship that is leaving tomorrow, and the work had to be done right now.  So, Steingart got the call.

          It began to rain when I left the clinic so I decided not to go downtown.       I am going to take in an early show tonight and then I'll probably run down and make the reservation.  They are showing "The Lodger," with George Saunders and Merle Oberon.  I hope it is good.

          I didn't get a letter from you today.  Anything new about the equipment?  Be sure to arrange the moving out of the stuff this week.  Store it in Bekins.

          Things have really been peaceful and quiet here as regards the corpsmen.  A lot of "sirs" and "may I' and "please" today.  I don't think I like it half as well as the way things were.  But this is the Navy.

          Bought a $1.10 box of Schraft's chocolates for 70 cents and finally got sections for my wallet.

          Nothing new about a place I think I'll do some chasing Friday noon if we have an inspection.  Guess I'll sign off till tomorrow.

Your lover,

Gil

 

Enlisted Men Don't Count

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Tuesday 8 February, 1710 o'clock

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day and nothing new to talk about.  Oh yes.  At our daily indoctrination lecture the riot act was read to the officers.  It seems that in this democracy the enlisted men don't count.  In other words we were told to demand strict respect and decorum in the clinic.  This really is going to take a lot of the fun out of our work.  From what they tell me, the same thing happens every so often.  Then for a week or two everything goes G.I. and then we'll drift back to the old way of doing things.  Don't misconstrue that this is anything I did.  It was simply a general condition existing in the clinic.

          I've been looking in the "houses for rent" columns. If I see anything interesting I'm going to run it right down.

          Received your letter and my first set of questions.  That 3.97 is better than anyone here has ever received.  They say 4.0 is just never given.  Well, I'll try and find out.

          Will probably go downtown tonight and make hotel reservations.  If not tonight, I'll go tomorrow night.  The corpsmen are making so much noise I hardly know what I'm writing, so I'll say adios, my sweet. As ever

Yours,

Gil