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to Morris "Moe" Weiner
2 May 1943
Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008
Sylvia reports that Dave H. has won two campaign ribbons. She tells a long story of how he won the medals and the Coast Guard off Nantucket Island.
GLC09414.0019
3 May 1943
Written at 12 Midnight at home. Sylvia says she received letters and pictures from him, as well as her allotment check. The picture makes her feel "warm and cold" because it brought her close to him yet he is not actually with her.
GLC09414.0020
4 May 1943
Sylvia asks Moe to thank Mrs. Feitelson for her letter. Says Sammy is in Officer's Training. She had a flat tire that morning and Sidney will help her change it. She and Sarah are planning on attending the Union Convention on Saturday. Will call his...
GLC09414.0021
Sylvia talks about yesterday's Labor Rally for the War Effort that didn't have the same spirit as a May Day Parade. The speakers were Senator [Claude] Pepper, Mayor La Guardia, Paul Robeson, and the French woman editor of the Free French Paper. David...
GLC09414.0022
5 May 1943
Sylvia saw the opera last night-Fledermaus/Rosalinda (Johan Stauss) Passed the Times Building and bought a copy of the Oregonian (Portland newspaper) to see news from his location. She is going that night to a place in Brighton that is run by the...
GLC09414.0023
Sylvia received a letter from Alvin (brother) on his 20th birthday. Her mother and father saw Alvin who is very thin because there is not enough food. Alvin is not allowed to go out and get food so Sylvia is sending some. Is enclosing a piece from...
GLC09414.0024
6 May 1943
Sylvia tells him that the Mother's Day gifts will be given from both of them. Thanks him for thinking up a scheme to keep her letters, so they will have a full story when this is all over.
GLC09414.0025
Dave has told Sylvia some new stories about his C.O. who sent him on a mission to Maine with the Coast Guard. Talks about a new law that all Ensigns must be examined by an M.D.. Says his brother Ben is shipping out this week and that he is trying to...
GLC09414.0026
7 May 1943
Sylvia notes that she has "B" [ration] coupons for gasoline. At A&S she shopped for gifts for Mother's Day. Reports that Marge has a job. She will probably start working in Intake sometime in the future. Says Moe's sister Adele is probably serious...
GLC09414.0027
9 May 1943
Sylvia went out to lunch with her friends, then went over to the Union Hall, where they heard three speakers. She thanks him for returning her letters. She was happy to hear the results of his training exams. She loved the local examples of flora...
GLC09414.0028
Written at 9:30 PM. Sylvia says she had funny dreams about him running after a trolley; like something out of a Dali painting. Delivered the respective Mother's Day gifts. Speaks of how many Sundays she spent with him.
GLC09414.0029
10 May 1943
Sylvia went to work and met her new supervisor (a man). She told her male co-workers to stop treating her differently because she knows what she is doing. Asks about whether he will be getting a furlough, or should she come out to the West coast to...
GLC09414.0030
11 May 1943
Sylvia says she rode in to work with Sid and one of his neighbors who boasted about a car trip to Grossinger's using Black Market gasoline. Discussed with others how well he did in his exams, and was still not chosen. Says there is either an age...
GLC09414.0031
13 May 1943
Sylvia says money will be a little tight in the next month; but to leave it up to her whether she can send him money. She will get a raise in July. Says she liked his poem.
GLC09414.0032
14 May 1943
Sylvia was able to get 9 gallons of gasoline. Gives Moe family news. Says one phase of the war is over, perhaps it will all be over soon. Is planning to take a full month's vacation to go West and see him.
GLC09414.0033
15 May 1943
Sylvia went out with a collection can for the Spanish Loyalists who have been released from concentration camps in North Africa and are being transported to Mexico for asylum by the Mexican government. Has to be "Rosie the Riveter" and has stage...
GLC09414.0034
16 May 1943
Sylvia took the car out and got her last instruction on "Rosie the Riveter." Went over to the party where the program was a Truth or Consequences game and then singing Russian songs by those dressed in Russian costumes. Then she came on; and did a...
GLC09414.0035
18 May 1943
Sylvia wants to come and see him on the West coast in August. Got home late from seeing "Mission to Moscow." Talks about the Trotsky trials and other events in Soviet history, and that Russia has to protect herself. Tells Moe he knows all of the...
GLC09414.0036
19 May 1943
Sylvia talks about Moe's difficulties in training. Sid wants to enlist; but can't because of his obligations at home. Postscript: Handwritten telling him that he has received a notice from "Uncle Sam" that he owes taxes. Will send him the needed form...
GLC09414.0037
Sylvia took the car to work and had to visit a Greek Catholic Church and found the priest charming. He acted as a Polish interpreter for her client. Sorry Moe has had bad weather and bad food, and reminds him he will have good food again when he...
GLC09414.0038
20 May 1943
Sylvia is tired because she walked all the way to her father's house. Saw children along the way, boys chasing girls and the girls calling them "dirty little Polack." Feels that "despite all we've gone through with the Depression and the War, things...
GLC09414.0039
21 May 1943
Sylvia went to a USO meeting, and to see "Counter Attack" [stage play about a Russian soldier-made into a movie in 1945] and read his letters during intermission. Tells him that FDR gave an audience to our delegates from the C/O Community Council.
GLC09414.0040
22 May 1943
Sylvia sends him money as she doesn't know how he is managing on so little. Writes about his health and the damp Oregon weather. Talks about coming to see him. A dried flower is enclosed in this letter.
GLC09414.0041
23 May 1943
Sylvia saw Sammy last night, who has enlisted because the war effort needs him; and to escape his problems. Postscript: Had a visit from his friend Charlie, who is 4 F. He and his wife are having a baby. Draws a picture of the living room for him.
GLC09414.0042
24 May 1943
Sylvia saw the movie "Stand by for Action" which depicts Navy maneuvers. Sorry he is still not feeling well and the weather is lousy. Comments on his army training not being suited to his abilities, but then corrects herself by saying that she has no...
GLC09414.0043
25 May 1943
Written at 2:30 PM. Sylvia encloses a clipping with her photo that is part of the news put out by SCMWA [State, County and Municipal Workers of America]. Talks about playing "Rosie the Riviter." Said she is going to be involved in directing another...
GLC09414.0044
Sylvia wants to share the anguish about training in his letters, but since she receives them about four days later, thinks at least that it is already over for him. Says she is prepared for anything in regard to his being transferred after he...
GLC09414.0045
26 May 1943
Written at 4:45 PM at the office. Sylvia talks about how the day before she had her hair done and her teeth cleaned. Went to Dave and Lil's and saw their baby. Has to attend an Executive Board meeting that night.
GLC09414.0046
28 May 1943
Sylvia tells Moe about a confrontation between some drunken Englishmen and other people who had been on the street in front of the store. Is angry that the Englishmen were saying the Americans have not suffered as they have.
GLC09414.0048
April 30, 1943
Written at 3:30 PM 29 May. Sylvia went to work, this Saturday morning, but as of June 15th will have Saturdays off. Written Sunday 30 May. Mentions this is the 12th anniversary of their first kiss; May 30, 1931. She discusses family problems.
GLC09414.0049
30 May 1943
Sylvia dubs her home the Weiner Hotel as letterhead and tells him she had a splendid day at this resort. Tells him not to worry about their "starving," that rationing is adequate and "if you are not a hog you get enough of everything." Admits prices...
GLC09414.0050
31 May 1943
Sylvia notes that since it's either hot, cold or damp, Oregon doesn't have any nice weather at all. Hopes he will soon know what his next assignment is. Is more than satisfied if he wants to just write about what's happening and not answer her...
GLC09414.0051
1 June 1943
Written at 5:00 PM at the office. Sylvia complains she has too much work to finish. Mayor can't believe the backlog in cases so has sent in the Herlands Committee to review the records. Has a ticket for the play "Tomorrow the World" but will only...
GLC09414.0052
Sylvia wishes she knew whether he was going to stay where he is so she could send him a subscription to PM. Glad he used the $10 she sent him to get away from camp and that he saw "Mission to Moscow" and enjoyed it
GLC09414.0053
2 June 1943
Sylvia tells Moe to look up a friend who made Lt. She is busy with her regular work schedule and planning a luncheon and raffle to raise money. She explains how at work she is accumulating twenty dollar ration permits and five dollars' worth of...
GLC09414.0054
3 June 1943
Written at 11:30 PM at home. Sylvia has had a chance to glance through the specific stipulations in the new tax bill, and proceeds to complain about it.
GLC09414.0055
4 June 1943
Written at 3:15 PM on a History Sheet from City of New York Department of Welfare. Sylvia claims it is very hot weather. Went to buy food for the luncheon tomorrow. Wishes she could go to the beach instead of the lunch, but will raise needed money...
GLC09414.0056
5 June 1943
Sylvia will have a lot of people for the fund raising luncheon. Says she is sending him more money, as he is paid too little. Says she passes the drug store where she had the incident with the Englishmen, but has gotten over it. Missed last night...
GLC09414.0057
Sylvia says the fund raising luncheon is over and was a success. Talks about the dissolution of the 3rd International. Tells him about her financial situation. The luncheon made $25 dollars, which is good since her office paid a considerable amount...
GLC09414.0058
6 June 1943
Ben, who had been overseas, told them about how cocky the German prisoners of war were and that they were going to win the war and bomb New York City. Reports to him about family and how much she misses him.
GLC09414.0059
8 June 1943
Written at the office. Sylvia talks about his transfer to Fort Lewis and promotion to Corporal. Talks about the plot of "Tomorrow the World" which she saw the night before. Afterwards went to Toffinetti's.
GLC09414.0060
9 June 1943
Written at 5:00 PM at the office. Sylvia was glad to get his telegram. Had seen a picture of soldiers in an overturned truck, and was worried he was involved in the accident. Went to see the film "Russian Story." Went to Tofenetti's afterward for...
GLC09414.0061
Written at 11:00 PM at home. Sylvia went through all of Moe's letters since May and reread them. Talks about his transfer to the new base. Hasn't been able to decipher on a map where Fort Lewis is.
GLC09414.0062
10 June 1943
Sylvia worked hard on old age assistance benefits in compliance with the Federal law at work. Hopes he is well and Camp Lewis is ok. Says the invasion seems imminent. Says the Black Market activity has been dwindling because they clamped down on...
GLC09414.0063
16 June 1943
Written at the office. Sylvia writes about the thought of him coming home on furlough. Tells him she's arranged for vacation time on a moment's notice. Not to worry, she has saved ration coupons for gasoline for when he comes home.
GLC09414.0066
28 June 1943
Written at 12:30 PM at the office. Sylvia tells him everyone at work says she looks tired after a week off with him. Glad he took the train back, as it's more comfortable.
GLC09414.0067
30 June 1943
Sylvia sends Moe $10. Says her sister Mad had gone to a Red Cross Training and that her husband, Sammy, wants to reconcile, Mad does not. A new investigator with whom she went to Brooklyn College was transferred to her office, and was on a date with...
GLC09414.0068
2 July 1943
Sylvia went to a meeting the night before of the CIO Community Council. They are getting after Congressmen to act. Her brother Alvin is having his last few weeks of flying at Buffalo. They hope he at least makes "navigator".
GLC09414.0069
Written at 12 Midnight at home. Sylvia is glad to get his letter from St. Paul enroute to Camp. Enclosing pictures they took on his furlough including one in front of Radio City.
GLC09414.0070
3 July 1943
Written on Saturday at the office. Sylvia is working on Saturday morning will give her a two and a half day holiday. Has no plans except maybe to see a movie with the girls. Her Dad sent her a check, knows it was her Mom's idea. Thinks she and her...
GLC09414.0071
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