Tag Archives: Great Lakes Naval Hospital

House Hunting (Roscoe)

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April 27, 1944 envelope

April 27, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 27, ‘44

Dear Mother,

I got your letter this AM, the one I missed yesterday and then the regular letter this PM before leaving the station. The one this PM had the pictures. They were pretty good considering those persons who were taken.

I don’t know what to tell you about the amount to ask for the house – Is that to be furnished or unfurnished? Ira should be able to help you with that more than I and as yet I don’t have anything here. Joe & I went to Evanston tonite. There was one apartment or house for $75 but the lady wasn’t home. It’s an upstairs apartment in one of those crowded outlying areas. I’m going to call her tomorrow night. I’ve talked to the lady downstairs. Two little girls came to the door also and they reminded me a little of the Puetz family. We may go out to the

April 27, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Lake country tomorrow eve to see some of the cottages there – if the weather is nice. It’s a little uphill business trying to find things after 4:30 if one doesn’t have his own car. Of course I had ours last week but no gas, and I can’t ask for a C card because I don’t know how far away we’ll be – aren’t we in a bad way.

Joe forgot to mail our letters yesterday so you will have a blank space. He was very sorry but just forgot. We’ll try to do better next time.

I forgot to leave your only gas ticket last week so will return it to you with this letter – I know you wno’t be able to go far on that much.

Must get to bed –

Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/03/house-hunting-roscoe/

All Alone Tonight (Roscoe)

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April 26, 1944 envelope

April 26, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

4/26/44

Dear Mother,

I’m all alone tonight – I mean Joe is on duty and I’m in my room alone – I hear others moving about in the house but I’ve been working on my correspondence course so have been busy.

I didn’t get a chance to go to the Lounge this eve so did not get your letter but will get it the first thing in the AM. I’ve been writing correspondence and seemed to have gotten into the habit of writing small and close together. That’s a mistake because I’ll have to write too much or use fewer pages.

Today at noon I sat down at a table and there were 3 strangers and in the course of the self introductions one fellow said his name was Glick and when I gave mine he was very surprised and gushy. He loudly and proudly announced to the other two that I practiced in his home town and that I had been practically around the world, etc., since joining the Navy – said he had kept in touch with me thru his Mother since I joined the Navy glub glub. He invited and half pushed me into the dental Dept. after the meal to have a talk. Really he is or seems to be a very fine individual with much common sense, etc.

I got another call from the housing today. She had another house – from the description on the phone it seemed a miniature hotel lacking only mail service and elevators – $250 per mo. I wasn’t interested. She did say she thought there would be some good Lake properties open in a short time and I’m going to try to get Joe interested. At present he just doesn’t seem much interested because he doesn’t want a house until the last of May.

All the places ask about children and their ages, etc. You know it’s funny how people feel about how destructive other people’s children are. We would hate to rent our house to a family with a bunch of mean brats that would hack and hew the furniture, the

April 26, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] decks, the bulkheads and more destruction too numerous to mention. Now take our children. There is John – he’d probably hammer the stranger’s piano out of tune not to mention the scratches his feet might make keeping time to the music, and also probably dribble and splatter around the head – he being tall and his aim not good – for that matter Mark might splatter a little because he aims and fires before he can get a good look at the whites of their eyes – of course little D. would just scatter his period head or no head and I mean way ahead. John might also would not reshape chairs, davenports, etc., from the contortious positions he assumes while reading. Shrubbery, lawn, etc., would never suffer due to Mark and his outdoor activities, nor would walls be darkened by his hands which he always cleans before coming into contact with clean walls, linen, etc. David I know would never pick up a pencil and write or mark on anything or object – too busy sucking his thumbs. Maybe I’d better stop analyzing my offsprings but books have been written on less subject matter than I’ve put forth but I’m not a book writer.

I’m partially out of my trance now. I do hope I can find something in the next two weeks because I don’t like living this way. This is too near too far. I’d just about as soon be out of the country when you are so near but so far. I’m not making that too plain but I hope you can read between the lines.

I think I’ll wash my head – (I mean hair) and go to bed –
Love Daddy

Horace Maxwell Glick (1906-1959) Image via Find A Grave (posted by Alana Knochel Bauman)

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/01/all-alone-tonight-roscoe/

Radio Interference (Roscoe)

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April 25, 1944 envelope

April 25, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 25, 1944

Dear Mother,

Just listening to Fibber & Molly and trying to write but haven’t made much headway. Again the orchestra is playing so I’ll write until they start talking again.

Your letter came today – This afternoon – I suppose you had just as well pay the coal bills and get things cleared up a bit. They have to be paid sooner or later so – .

I’m learning things around here every day – namely – many of the Drs. back from foreign duty have stopped here only a short time and are then transferred to some other duty – in the States. I’d hate to rent a house and pay a month’s rent before moving in and then hav not use it because of being transferred. But I have not rented one yet so I don’t need worry about that, and what you suggested about the weekend – why not just move up period – Let the kids board out or leave school early – but I guess we don’t need to cross that bridge just yet.

You have a few days to wait as yet for D. and the measles as I told you

April 25, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] in last night’s letter.

Bob Hope is now on and I’m not just sure what I’m writing. Vera V. is now on and I can’t concentrate.

Just re-read your letter and I think I’ve answered all the questions – I started this letter about one hour ago but I’ve had too much radio interference.

I hate to think of it but this is a must – a bath in the tub. It’s a little cold in here but I’ve gone long enough now. Just about can’t stand myself anymore but I know of no other solution.

Joe is writing now and Bob Hope is over and I’ve about run down so must get going on that bath. I’ve been thinking – If I don’t have OD duty week after next I’m going to try to get off. It may be only a try but I’ll let you hom know later –

Love Daddy

P.S. Red Skelton is on now.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/30/radio-interference-roscoe/

Finding A House (Roscoe)

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April 24, 1944 envelope

April 24, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 24

Dear Mother,

The day passed without too much happening – Joe seems to have gotten settled fairly well but will be worked pretty hard if no more Drs. are attached to their place. He has the nose & throat work of the station.

I got a call today about a house but decided not to do anything about it. It was a large house which rented for $150 per mo. and the gal thought since I’d said the Roberts and us wanted to be near one another we could take the house but I’m afraid that would have its drawbacks. The biggest probably being the chance that one or other might be ordered away leaving the other to hold the bag or rather the house at $150 per mo. I’ve given two Drs. who live in Chicago the word to keep looking in their area for vacancies – maybe if there are enough strings out one will be fastened to something. So we’ll keep

April 24, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] looking and inquiring. One of the fellows wants me to ride into Chicago with him and look around. He really wants me nearby so we can share cars – a pregnant idea for all concerned.

When I was talking about not giving D. any sulfa drug with measles I didn’t mean it shouldn’t but in case ears or throat develops then it would be OK. I’d also forgotten. I looked it up last night – The contagious period may run up to 16-21 days rather than the usual 10 days to 2 wks. so it may be longer before he takes them if he does. Watch for the knots behind his ears. Those appear first.

Well, I’m going to see if I can find a book to read tonight, and relax for a while –
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/28/finding-a-house-roscoe/

Back at the Station (Roscoe)

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April 23, 1944 envelope

April 23, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 23 Sun. Eve

Dear Mother,

We arrived at the station about 5:15 after an uneventful trip. Had our chow at the hospital. Joe got all singed in in about 10 min. That is all that was necessary for today. He really could have taken about 6 more hours. Six hours we lost – Too bad. We really did enjoy ourselves at least I did and I hope you did. Hope you didn’t have any difficulty in getting home.

While waiting for Joe abt we were parked out behind the hostess house – I just waited in the car. A sailor and his wife or girl friend came out and engaged in a terrific embrace, or at least she did. He just more or less stood there with his arms at his sides but she didn’t – You know how I mean. Then after two hitches he backed off a little way and got out a big white hankie and wiped his mouth to remove the lipstick. The last I saw of them they were going back into the house he still wiping his mouth. Was that good or was that good?

April 23, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Joe and I went for a walk but it was cut very short by a storm – or rather thunder and lightning cut the trip short. So far it seems to have missed us, however, and it is now about 9:00 and will soon be bed time. Our radio is going – seems to work good with only a short antennae.

Joe is writing also so maybe you both will get letters Tue. I’m running out of things to write much just now. It’s been only a short time since I’ve seen you and things haven’t happened so much as yet. I guess I should write the Folks one of these days but just can’t seem to get started on such.

Well, hope you aren’t too down in the dumps tonight –
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/26/back-at-the-station-roscoe/

Home for the Weekend

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Roscoe did indeed make it home for the weekend. David reached the milestone of his 19th month while “Daddy” was home. Without an exchange of letters, the only remaining details of the weekend were recorded in the baby book.

David’s baby book, dated April 23, 1944

April 23, 1944

David’s 19th month – 26 1/2 libs – 33 3/4″ tall

Daddy is on duty at Great Lakes (reported Apr. 13) and got to come home for the weekend – was home the 23rd the day David was 19 months old. We took some pictures of Daddy and David together. David has learned to say, “No” and shake his head accordingly when asked if he wants to be put in his bed for misbehavior. He is saying Mammy at present for Mother but we hope to teach him to say Mother correctly. He says “tee” for train. He doesn’t try to tell us when he has to toidey. Still has [to] wear thumb guards – Apr. 24 – David doesn’t wear thumb guards now – We put “Thum” on his thumbs and he quit putting them in his mouth – Now wears training panties but doesn’t cooperate much. Apr. 26 – climbed up on the radio in John and Mark’s room, pulled it over on himself – cut his lip and had to have two stitches taken. One upper front tooth is pushed back out of line.

Walk to Town (Gladys)

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April 19 & 20, 1944 envelope

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-19-44

Dear Daddy –

I wrote one letter this morning but thought I would start one this afternoon while I was thinking about what I wanted to write.

I took David out for a walk and he kept going until we were on Main street so I got the paper & a few articles I needed at the drug store. I saw Coke and she wanted to know about when you would be home. Said they wanted to see you, etc. I asked her about Dr. Baer and he is a MacIntyre. They live in a town close to Great Lakes, but it isn’t Lake Forest. She told me the name but I don’t remember. Maybe it was Highland Park. I am not sure. At any rate coke wants you to see Dr. B. He is a Commander now. I saw Alma and she said the evening we tried to call them was the only evening they were away from home, and on Wed. evening

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] before you went to G.L. they didn’t go to the show, but were downtown. We just didn’t see them.

I stopped to see Mrs. Krull and she says the suits wouldn’t make over for John. Says she wouldn’t tackle the job and a tailor would charge $15.00 to do the job. I was wondering if Ralph or Clarence could use a suit or two. Mrs. K. just made one of Nick’s old suits over for Dorothy. I wish I had used one of yours for myself instead of buying the one I did. I still would like to have a black suit and could take the pin strip and have one made for myself.

I stopped at Johnsons and Jimmy had been sick. I saw someone sitting in the living room and opened the door and David ran in. Lucile came and said Jimmy had been sick but was feeling better and temp was normal. He was quite sick last night and had a temp of 104 4/10 (rectally). He had a convulsion last night

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] but seemed perfectly normal today. The Dr. thought he might be taking measles or something but evidently not or he would be breaking out. His throat was sore and the Dr. swabbed it. David was with him Sun. & Mon. afternoon and Lucile thinks he was starting a temp Mon. so if he has anything D. has a good chance of getting it from being with him Mon. Of course at the time Lucile didn’t know he had a temp, but we were in the restaurant together and before that she had Jimmy out here, and when she started home from the restaurant with Jimmy, said he got fussy and she had to carry him home. I hope he doesn’t develop anything. Are children who are subject to allergies more apt to have convulsions than others? The thought just occurred to me, because of Jimmy and the Wilson baby, Michael, was like Jimmy when he was small (covered with eczema) and he is subject to convulsions. Or is it due to the high temperatures?

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Bobby came up with 25₵ and asked Mark to buy him a plane to build so Mark is at Funks now making Bobby a plane. John asked me if he should go to a party Sat. nite, since you were planning to come home he wasn’t sure it would be the thing to do, but I told him he could see you Sun. and I thought he should attend the party since he stays home most of the time.

It is 6 PM by the living room clock, so that means chow time for David. He should have a good appetite after walking to town and back. I thought maybe he had walked too much and John said, “Do you realize if he had been home he would be walking around here all the time?”

Thurs. a.m. – the mail hasn’t been delivered yet – I am finishing this for Mark to take as he goes to school. It is cloudy this morning and looks very much like it will rain anytime. I did have ideas of washing some but now have a good excuse not to.

Love Mother

P.S. Highland Park is right.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/24/walk-to-town-gladys/

I’ll Be Home (Roscoe)

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April 19, 1944 envelope

April 19, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Wed. Apr. 19, 1944

Dear Mother,

No letter again today. I’m just beginning to wonder if you are writing every day as you used to do, etc. I suspect the letters are getting crossed up in the mail and two will come tomorrow, at least I hope so.

Well, it’s all set. I’ll be home Sat. eve. I got the papers all filled out and in my pocket now so I’ll be there for supper but possibly you had better not wait too long as I’m not sure what time I’ll leave here. I’ll try something during the PM but may not get away until after working hours which would be 4:30 and that would get me there by 7:30-8:00.

Nothing much has been different today just the same old measles & mumps or rather German measles & mumps. We get rid of several each day and

April 19, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] get in several new ones each day just to keep things on an even basis.

It’s going to be a close run on the gas tickets but I think I’ll have enough to get the car back. That seems a dirty trick. Bring the car back to you with no tickets. Joe and I together can get a book for his car when he comes up and I’ll make him share a few tickets. When one gets a C card they want someone else to sign that he is riding with the C card owner. I didn’t have anyone else to sign for me and even if I had I couldn’t have signed for Joe – That must all sound very clear. I’ll explain more fully when I get home.

I’ll not write now until I see you again so lots of love, etc.,
Daddy

Coming Home (Roscoe)

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April 18, 1944 envelope

April 18, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

4/18/44

Dear Mother,

No mail today – maybe it takes it longer to get here if you address it to the station but on second thought I guess it’s because it was Sunday when you would have written a letter which should come today so that probably solves the mystery of the missing letter. I mailed one on Sunday but I’m not sure that it leaves the base on Sun.

I had a talk with a fellow who has the rental of houses and he seems to think we will be able to get a house. He took my name & address, etc. I’ll keep looking otherwise myself however.

So far so good on my coming home this weekend. My plea is in to the commanding officer and I believe it will go thru from the way the assistant executive officer talked. If one lives more than 75 miles he has to put in for leave so that in case an accident

April 18, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] or some such he will be legally covered. Then when the leave is over the paper is destroyed so that the leave isn’t counted against you in Washington. Just an old Navy custom.

We had a medical meeting at the base so I just stayed and ate there and it is now after 10 PM. It was a lecture by some Chicago Dr. on infections of the hand. It is one of those you must attend things so I went.

Yesterday I got a letter telling me I hadn’t done my correspondence work in the past two years and a little not was added to the bottom saying this is the second warning. I’ll have to drop in and give them the glad hand or something.

Well, it’s bed time so I must stop and see what I can do about some shut eye
Love Daddy

Movements (Roscoe)

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April 17, 1944 envelope

April 17, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

4/17/44

Dear Mother,

Your letter arrived today. The one you wrote after receiving my first. I’ve been away from home now 4 days and received fou two letters – much different than in days gone by.

You mentioned the radio – It would be very nice but I wouldn’t want to deprive you of the one you use in the kitchen, however, if you think you could get along without it I’d appreciate it very much but we will see about that later. Maybe Joe has one he will bring along.

Our movements are somewhat curtailed around the base. Once we enter that gate where we entered we can’t leave without the executive officer’s permission and you remember the bridge going over to the Officer’s Club? We can’t cross that without the executive officers knowing it, etc. We can’t smoke

April 17, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] on the streets of the base so you see we are a bunch of good little boys at times. After 4:30, however, all those restrictions are off. We eat in the basement of that brick building where Joe & I went in for information so there is no real need for crossing the bridge or leaving the gate during working hours.

I loaned one of my white cap covers to a Dr. yesterday. He had sent all of his to the laundry and got bawled out for wearing his blue cover. He was one of the fellows that was with me at Silverstream, a Jewish boy.

The Frenches have a large library and I have borrowed a book “Our Hearts Were Young & Gay” to read. I think I read the condensed version in Reader’s Digest but for want of something to do I think I’ll read the thing. It may seem

April 17, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] a little dull after reading that in the Digest but I’ll see.

The sun was out most of the time today but it sure was cold when the breeze of the lake could hit full blast. We should get that breeze most of the time next summer when it’s good and hot.

John’s report card sounded pretty good and Mark’s wasn’t so bad as I remember so I guess the boys should both get promoted this year.

Well, I’m all run down so good night &
Love Daddy