Page 208 - Mastheads July-Dec 1945

PAGE 8 THE MASTHEAD, SATURDAY, DIDC. 22, 1945
lOOKA HERE - YfJlETIDE SPIRIT ENVElOPS TREASfJRE ISlAND!

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT PREVAILS ON TREASURE ISLAND no matter .where one and galleys, all expressing one wish: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
turns. This Naval base wi ll be "home" to thousands of bluejackets on Christmas Day. The Masthead and staff also voice those sentiments to you, its readers, with the
Above are pictured Yuletide greetings colorfully depicted at T. I. entrances, theatres added wish that 1946 will find you living successfully-be sailor or civilian.
third of mustering-out pay by Brooklyn with wife, Rose, and 17- live. But I'm gonna do it in my
Whirlwind Sep~ration for Sailor; check. 1030 Reported for dis- year-old daughter, Katherine, and own sweet time--there ain't any-

South Seas to Brooklyn in 26 Days charge in large Quonset hut with everyone else in block who could body gonna get me to muster any
1,000 others. Assistant civilian re- squeeze into flat. Between toasts place for the rest of my life."
adjustment officer talked three of homemade burgundy, happy,
Here is th,e 26-day log that re- 22nd day - 1103 Arrived Lido
turned typical dischargee Gaetano Beach. 1200-1635 Stood around minutes, chaplain followed. Went tweed-clad Mr. Maritato allowed (SEA). - Thousands of war
Thomas Maritato, MM3c, from awaiting preliminary physical to platform, got discharge paper, himself to be quoted: "Getting brides overseas awaiting trans-
New Hebrides to his 1942 truck- exam. After five days on train handshake from lieutenant, and out wasn't bad at all. The Navy portation to America are receiv-
driving job in Brooklyn: men are weary and grimy. cheery "Congratulations, MISTER treated me okay all the way ing guidance and financial assist-
through. Tomorrow I have to ance under a program of aid \ie-
1st day-Boasting 49 points, 23rd day-Stood by for order to Maritato."
boarded transport at Espiritu start processing. Same day - 1830 Home in start looking for a larger place to veloped by the Red Cross.
Santo. 24th day - 1300 ·completed
14th day-0800 Docked San physical. Filled out claim asking
river steamer for transfer to Re- Veterans Administration. Hernia Masthead Fiction I
Francisco. 0930 Aboard former hernia operation later through
ceiving Ship, Treasure Island, came from 1943 operation iri the
with 800 men including 235 dis- Navy. 1400 Through till next day.
chargees. 1045 Lecture by officer 25th day - 0800 Lecture and BLUEJA(:KET 'FINDS' CHRISTMAS- ••••
at Intake Center : "Welcome, and film on rights, benefits. Chaplain
don't become a disciplinary case talked on readjustment. 0945 By Jack Corrigan, SM2c and stared intently at the beau- soaring into the heavens. He had \.J
or you're fouled up for weeks." Slide film showed importance of tiful face. Then the truth dawned been schooled a Catholic, he re-
The sailor examined his band-
1330 Liberty until 0800 next day. converting service insurance. 1015 aged hand as he walked down the upon him, and he turned away in membered, as he listened to the
15th day-Assigned to 60-man Individual talk with general inter- hospital corridor. Things might sorrow. Christmas hymn. Strange how
draft bound for separation center viewer: talked into keeping $5,- he'd struggled with the passing
have been worse. Driving a Navy The little fellow was blind.
nearest home--Lido Beach, Long 000 service policy. Advised to re- truck on slippery streets was dan- A nurse entered the room, and of time, trying first one church,
Island. Mustered 0800 and 1300, port to local draft board within gerous in this town, especially smiled warmly at the sailor. then another, going to the one
awaiting transportation, got lib- 10 days, have discharge certificate on the steep hills. He had been "You're the first visitor he's closest at ha,nd. Ma°st of the time,
erty after 1300 till next morning. photostated. 1500 Officer approved lucky to come out of the accident had," she said. "I suppose you've failing to go. '-._/
17th day-1835 Departed Oak- processing record. Sewed honor- with only shaken nerves and an noticed his blindness. It's sadden- "Laeti triumphantes ... " he'd
land station on Santa Fe special able discharge emblem on blues. injured hand. This Christmas Eve ing. The baby's only three years once been an altar boy, too.
troop train bearing 532 dis- 26th day-0900 In dress blues, found him very grateful. old." Funny he hadn't forgotten the
chargees to various separation lined up at disbursing office • for The sailor swallowed hard. Such Latin words and their simple
It was a long corridor, and the
centers. Assigned Pullman bunks, final payoff. Received $50 cash, a beautiful child, and blind. He message. The little fellow was
odor of antiseptics and medicines
two in lower, one in upper. balance of pay by check and first couldn't bear to look again at the listening, too, his tiny ear pressed
drifting from the small rooms against the window. ·
sickened him. He walked faster boy, and he was grateful when Why Was He Here? V
the nurse broke the silence.
Hollywood Pin-Op Parade until he came abreast of an open "The little lad's Jewish," she The sailor placed his broad
door and looked ·in casually. The
sight that met his eyes caused explained, smoothing the wrinkles arms around the child. What is
BRING ON THE MISTLETOE on the frayed pajamas. "He was the use, he argued. Why,. was he
him to stop abruptly.
blinded in an automobile accident here when he could be out in the
There in the dimly lighted a year ago. They say his father streets, celebrating Christmas as
room, silently kneeling on a pil- was killed in an air battle over he had in the past? He looked
lowed chair against the window, Belgium and the mother is now at the crowd below. Everyone was
was a small boy. His face was convalescing in a hospital. We are there. Servicemen, office clerks,
pressed tightly against the pane keeping him here until we can lawyers, parents and children,
and his fingers had left their tiny place him in a home." streetwalkers, doctors, shipyard
smudges on the glass. He was The sailor felt the tiny fingers workers. He should be out among
dressed in a pair of red-striped
touching his cheek and he faced them all, toasting the season, hav-
pajamas muc_h too large for him, the baby and smiled. He could hear ing fun, drowning his troubles on
and he seemed to be listening for the chimes of the giant cathedral this happy night.
something.
across the street, and looking out "Venite, venit-e in Bethlehem .. "
The sailor entered the room and the window, he watched the he felt the tremor in the body
quietly tiptoed behind the child. crowded streets swarmed with beside him, and he knew the lit-
He must have made a noise for last-minute shoppers. tle fellow was trying to see him
the boy turned his tousled head "Daddy." in his world of darkness. Tears
.and stared at him. The little fellow was pulling his had appeared on the boy's pale
What beautiful eyes he has, ear. cheeks, and his large brown eyes
thought the sailor. What beautiful Just Listening stared through the sailor. To the
brO'Wll eyes, so sparkling and un- The nurse picked up the 'boy seaman's mind came the story of
movable. The boy said nothing and placed him on the pillowed another Jewish boy, born in a
but his little face frowned in be- chair. stable in Bethlehem many, many
wilderment. "He likes to be next to the years ago.
"Hello, little fella," the sailor window," she said, "even though · The sailor lifted the trembling
greeted. he can't . see what's going on. babe, and placed him in the warm
Child's Face Glowed Just listens to the church bells bed. He wiped the tears from the
The child's face glowed with and the noises of the street. Will pale cheeks, and ran his fingers
excitement and his little hands you watch him for a few min- through the tousled hair, and
reached out joyfully. He touched utes, mister?" watched the large brown eyes
the man's wide shoulders and The sailor nodded, and the staring at him. He kissed the soft
clung to his arm. nurse tiptoed from the room. He face and gently bundled the
"Daddy!" cried the lad. ;,Daddy, watched the face of the little blankets tighter about the frail
you're back!" fellow. Beautiful, truly beautiful. body.
He thinlts I'm his father, the "Adeste fideles . . • ." The words "Don't worry about my going,"
We can't guarantee that Santa Claus or even BuSandA will leave
t~is ~n your stocking if you've been· a good boy, but wouldn't it be sailor thought. Po9r kid. He floated upward from · the great he whispered. "Funny how a blind
mce if he would? She's Jeff Donnell, and she works for Columbia i lifted the boy from the pillowed cathedral. Catholic services, the little fella like you could help me
Pictures when she's not lolling in the snow: · Wonder what's in the ! chair and. krelt beside . him . . He sailor reflected.' His eyes followed see the real meaning of Christ-
packages, _ On second thought, who cares what's in .the.packages? : br:ushed the blond hair_ i11to place the taper of the church's · spire mas!"