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393 Wed. 5 December 1945 8:15 pm My dearest darling, It begins to look as though I don't stand much chance of getting away from here on the 10th. Neither my relief nor Barry's has arrived yet, and it appears that the man who is coming in response to the prior request of a relief for me will be assigned not to Education but to Lieut. McMillin’s job - Agriculture and Fishing. The Captain has full discretion, of course, in the matter of assignments, and Art Fickling, who knows both the men in question, has described their qualifications in sufficient detail as to make it possible for Comdr. Kenney to assign them tentatively before they arrive. However, there is no doubt that I shall be leaving fairly soon. A letter went out yesterday to ComMarianas requesting order for me; so I'll be covered if orders are not automatically brought by whoever is to relieve me. [pg 2] Had a good letter from Tel Mook today, the first news we've had of him, and will send it along as soon as I've answered it. He had already applied for separation at the time of writing, was assured as to approval of his application, and expected to be out of the service in a week - that is, by now. Two more good letters from you: #482 - Am still preparing, little by little…today I picked up a fifth of real Scotch. Bullock and Laid, and will probably bring it in my seabag. I think I'll pack the two bottles of liqueur in my trunk (to Flushing) and just take a chance on them; they'll probably get through. No, sweetie, they’re not Cointreau - there wasn't any - but Crème de Cacao and Curacao. If I can still get some Cointreau next week I'll do so and bring that with me. Darling, I am hoping so hard that I can at least make Christmas week, and see our tree - if, by the date when I actually [pg 3] sail, it seems apparent that I'll get home within just a few days after New Year's, do you suppose we could bend tradition and keep it standing? No longer than that, of course, because that would seem a little ridiculous. As for Christmas Day routine (if I'm not there) I don't want to make any specifications this year. I ask only your observance of one thing, the Benedictine. But I think you’d better open all or most of your presents, because we'll have quite enough to preoccupy ourselves with when I do arrive to be able to dispense with opening things. Besides, it'll help to make the time pass for you. I feel slightly scolded - and I guess justly about the debt to Father. But I think I can pay it off before we go to N.Y. - my January 1 pay will take care of 2/3 of it. Perhaps I haven't taken it seriously enough, Sweetie, but my first thought out here has been to keep [pg 4] a steady flow of little packages or surprises heading your way. My club bill, about the only item here which can amount to anything, is about the lowest of any officer's. I quite forgot, tho, my promise of a $10 Christmas - I was thinking in terms of store-boughten things, and because I didn't buy anything at all from a jewelry or department store or such (as I first intended), my conscience just forgot about it! Well, I'm not sorry; there are very special circumstances. As for mustering-out pay, I hope we will not be mustering out till about 1 August. But if we are, of course we can use that. I love your morning dialog with Wendy; I chuckled, and had to read it aloud to Barry. Gee, but I'm eager to see her. Yes, darling, no matter what you do, just so it's time for you to go up there….I'll give you the name of my ship and where she intends to go, and you'll have to find some means of getting information as to [pg 5] whether it's actually coming in there and when. I gather that you have enough sources of information around you to know how to go about that. You should see my tan now - about a week ago I began preparing in earnest for the sea voyage, building up a resistance to burn. All of us around here who take sunbaths dispense with clothing now except for a narrow strip of cloth to cover the most sensitive areas. I've still got a pale patch on my fanny but in front I'm almost equally brown all over. The weather nowadays is lovely and should continue so for the rest of the time that I'm here. #483 - Yes, I think it's time we instituted the pleasant custom of cocktails before dinner. I don't really know whether I’d like it every night on ordinary days because I tire of drinking regularly and prefer it in spells. But for [pg 6] whenever we want it - that's the thing- Is the name “Gormsen”? I sent a note addressed to “Gary Goramsen.” Sunday we’re having an anti-fire parade in which civilian police and the Scouts will march before and after a procession of Camp Churo's proud fire department of five bright-red vehicles. One is a real Stateside fire engine which belonged to some CB outfit; others are water trunks and such. The Scouts will carry banners with appropriate slogans. Incidentally, I've picked up a similar banner used in the Scout sanitation parade of the other day - besides Japanese characters, it has painted on it in English, “Sanitation is a Precious Element of the Family” I thought it would be fun to tack it up in the bathroom some time when we have a party. By now - I love you Warren
