1934
Behind that disguise sits one of Dartmouth's two original "sick Indians" and squeezed in his fond embrace is the new Mrs. Iru Silverman. Here's the first bit of news from the floating doctor we've heard in some time.
"Just a note to inform you that I am at the Station Hospital, Fort Dix, N. J. I understand that several of our class passed through the induction center here. In the future I'd be pleased if any of the recruits would contact me. There's still 3-2 beer here if nothing stronger.
"Incidentally, I joined the ranks of the benedicts January 17, 1943. The 'ball and chain' was formerly Selma B. Krasnow of Edgewood, R. 1., R. I. College of Education '41.
"Heard from Ens. Bob Peters. Understand he has been commended by the admiral for outstanding performance of duty." (That basic training on the famous Chicago trip is certainly showing up.—Ed.)
News of Lew Grosenbaugh comes from his mother: "Your enclosures to Lewis Grosenbaugh have been sent as long as there was any chance of his getting them, but now he seems to have sailed. His last letter said they were almost ready, and that was two weeks ago. Of course I may not be able to hear from him for months now, and whatever you send may or may not reach him. He has been a month in San Francisco with his ship; before that at torpedo school at Keyport, Washington; before that at Midshipman's School at Northwestern."
Bill ("Crash") Gilmore has earned a right to a new title. This report speaks for itself.
"Enclosed is my check for the class dues. Didn't make it more as we are a little squeezed at the present, but if you get in a hole let me know and we'll go light on the groceries and send you a couple of bucks.
"Most important of my news is the birth of a son, William Guy Gilmore IV, on September 20, 1942. Weight 8 lbs. 9 oz., length 21 inches, and he looks like he is going to be good football material. Mother, son and father are all fine.
"This year has been a rather eventful one for me in that I have been shifting my jobs in American Airlines. I started off in charge of the Hotel New Yorker ticket office but felt that I wasn't getting ahead the way I should. I requested and got a job in the general office. My job was instructor in reservations and ticket office procedures. It was a lot of fun especially in that about 90% of the classes were gals. It was quite a workout, though, as I lectured from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with an hour out for lunch—l don't see how the students stayed awake. Along about April the company discontinued the school which left me out on a limb. I then went to work editing the regulations that are put out by the company. I was told that that would be a permanent job even though I couldn't justify my being there. At about the same time I began to feel that my draft classification would be changed shortly and I also felt that I would have to fly for some organization in the near future. Also, I didn't feel as though I was contributing my share to the war effort. With all that against the job I had, there was only one thing for me to do—get out. I contacted the chief pilot and was told that I would be given a chance in the pilots' training school if I got an instrument rating. Got a leave of absence for the month of May and got my rating. Started in the school the first of June and it was quite a workoutthe first and I hope the last school I'll ever go to where 85 is passing and anything below 90 is frowned on. With the grace of God I got through the school and started flying the middle of August. The first of September I was assigned to the New York-Chicago run and have been there ever since. It sure is a swell way to earn a living even though we do work odd hours. I work roughly days and am off 3 which isn't bad at all. That gives me quite a bit of spare time so if you need somebody to give you a hand with some of the class work let me know as I'd sure like to put in my share.
"Hear from Harry Wallace quite frequently. He is now in Buffalo and is also a new father—it's a girl, Nancy Anne, born Oct. 12. Link Daniels lives about a mile from me but I only get to see him about once a month. Saw Jocko Stangel in Chicago. He looks the same except for some added weight but whom am I to talk (I was up to 180 last winter).
"That's about all the news I have so I'll wind this up.
"If any of the guys are flying between New York and Chicago be sure to have them go American Airlines. And if my name is on the door have them tell the stewardess to get me—then I'll shine up all my brass buttons and polish my gold braid and come back in the cabin like I knew what I was doing."
Dr. Art Ward reports from Worcester: "I'm in the same job as resident in the TB division of Belmont Hospital in Worcester. The armed forces won't take me because of my illness of three years ago, so I'm one of those who will have to stay home and try to carry on. We are short handed and the situation is getting worse. We get a lot of rejects from the services and it's up to us to try to get them back into civilian life or defense work. I'd like to be doing more but I guess I have my work cut out for me here. I suppose I might later be put into a government hospital to fill in for someone who can go.
"I'll take a look at the bank account and see if I can send some extra cash to send the ALUMNIMAGAZINE to some others, but with the rise in living costs and no evidence of any more money in a city institution. It's a swell idea though."
There is still enough news for a couple more columns, but the supply is getting thin. If you haven't had a chance to send in your class dues, send in a check with your news items. We need your help if we are to keep the ALUMNI MAGAZINE going to the whole gang. And thanks for your swell support. See you next month.
MR. AND MRS. IRV SILVERMAN '34 "We hit the snow trail for our week's honeymoon. Influence of my Dartmouth days."
ENS. HARRY S. STEARNS '34 USNR
Secretary, Upper Terrace St., Montpelier, Vt. Class Agent, 1038 Clay Avenue, Pelham Manor, N. Y.
