Weiner, Sylvia (1912-2008) to Morris "Moe" Weiner
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09414.0031 Author/Creator: Weiner, Sylvia (1912-2008) Place Written: Brooklyn, New York Type: Typed letter signed Date: 11 May 1943 Pagination: 3 p. ; 18. x 13.2 cm. Order a Copy
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 limit [Moe is about 34 at this time] or a quota for Jews.
Says the Russians learned a lot, at great cost, from the Germans, and that the Germans just cracked under the pressure and lack of material.
Grossinger's- Catskill Mountain Resort Hotel, New York. It was part of the Borscht Belt.
[Draft Created by Crowdsourcing]
Tues. May 11, 1943
At the office - 4:30 P.M.
DEAREST DARLING
I am a little tired - I guess I have gotten used to being out of doors in the afternoon. BUT FOR all that it is a good feeling because I filled out about one million forms today - that is an accomplishment.
I came in cross this morning and no wonder - I drove in with Sid who brought one of the "neighbors" along too. [inserted: T]his latter "Shmuck" boasted about his trip to Grossingers in a car with Black Market gas - and that ain't all. He met a guest there who knew somebody in the grocery business who got him "loads of stuff" withou[struck: r] [inserted: t] ration tickets". Isn't he what I called him - Try ceiling prices and rationing on that kind of an American. Oh - Well we have always known there were the jerks and the good people and that latter must carry the burden of the former - No?
Gee - I should like to relax at a good funny movie - but there aren' [sic] such playing - You remember how good that kind of relaxation was - for both of us - but damn it try as I will I don't get the same kick out of the movies without you - and it is harder to take to "Stinkeroos".
For the first time I have discussed your exam with other people - because now I know how well you did - and how peculiar the ways of the army are - And lo and behold you are not the first one to have not been chosen in this dopey manner. Milt Cohen passed the exam but only after much discussion was admitted to the quota. You see he was the only one in his group who made any score at all. Incidentally the consensus of opinion was that these boys were rejected because they have apparently set an age limit - or a quota for both older fellows and/or Jewish ones - Get it - As for the whole matter - I don't care that you were rejected, except that what does matter[inserted: ,] is that you wanted the chance so much. But I guess you can forget it now - honey - I have no expectations of ambition or climbing for you in the army
In Liberty.
[2]
2
And as a matter of fact - the older men have not been given much chance to climb unless they got in early. So forget about it and save your mental processes for the future, darling - there will still be plenty of thinking to do after the war is over.
As for your letters dearest - reading them was just like having you here, talking to me about the war situations, propounding your theories and ideas on military activity on all the fronts.
Did I mention that I loved your pictures - I think you look handsome - really - as for Francis K Mooney - he seems to be the sweetest boy - Gee - send him my love. By the way - it is a good thing we never bought that sewing kit - I am sure you don't need it now - or do you anyway, hon?
So - you didn't go to the dance. Well I am glad you had the time to rest and did not come home at 2 A.M. But I told you all those years to practise with me - Oh - well - it is just as well - it is probably a waste of time - I am sure there is not too much real fun attendant upon those functions.
Yep - the Russians are on to all the advantages in this war - boy they learned their lessons fast and well - at great cost of course - but they learned much from the Germans. As for us - I guess that we are good enough - but I have a sneak[struck: k]y suspicion that the enemy just cracked. After all how long can an army remain such without re-enforcements [sic] and we know that it was getting tougher and tougher to get equipment and men accross [sic] the Mediterranean. So I feel it was half our excellent pressure and half the lack of material on the part of the axis. Be what it may - its swell news - No?
On to the [inserted: W]ester [sic] Front - Brr and all the attendant horror - Of course I feel much as Annie does now that I have a stake in it all. But I still think I can take it and want the thing to start so that the end will be so much closer.
[3]
3
I really adored your review of yourself at the end of 9 weeks - so you are a tough hombre - and what I loved most hearing was that you are feeling well - please God keep it up - gee [inserted: I] hope that bivouac will not impair you present state - please god -
As for "thee and Me" yes sweet - it often catches me unawares - I CANNOT THINK, realize that you are not at home - it has no reality - I don't believe it - yet - in another moment - I know it is so true - damn - and then I recover - and think once again of all our past fun and all our future fun - yes - sir - its not so bad at all - it is a consoling thought that we have a past and a future - loads of people don't have either - like Sustrin for instance - poor girl - You have not written that your wandering in the veldt - or forest will stop the mail - but I am prepared for that. I do hope thought that something will come through --Yes? So - good afternoon - my darling - give the boys I know so well - Francis, Irving, Louis, Aaron, Mac, Etall, Sachs (Corp) Seymour - my very best - but remain convinced that I shall always keep sufficient reserve for YOU.
I thought of a pome [sic] but it stinks so I am not enclosing it - I couldn't find anything to rhyme with field - wield - go - sho - ????? The muse shall enter me sole - perhaps another time - So darling please have patience.
Good Afternoon - Pvt Moe -
I love you so, O so O so
And so I go - I go - A Song.
Kisses - KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES KISSES?YES KISSES *Some pome -
Syl
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