It’s another short one today. He had one letter from Dot today, and one from her mother, inviting him to share a Democratic Thanksgiving with the Chamberlains in Greenwich. For anyone under the age of 60 who may read this blog, “Democratic Thanksgiving” as I understand it, was an attempt by the FDR administration to jump start the holiday spending season during the Depression by scheduling Thanksgiving a week earlier than had been the traditional date. In theory, if people had one more week to shop before Christmas, they’d spend more, thereby stimulating the economy a bit. I’m not sure if it worked, and I don’t know when the practice ended, but it is apparently still happening in 1945. The Republican Chamberlains weren’t too keen on any of Roosevelt’s “schemes.”

Dart found out today that he’s been assigned to a brand new destroyer, one of those ships that’s going to make the goodwill trip around the world. Here’s the rub: That ship has already left on her cruise. His orders say he’s assigned to her, but his records, pay accounts and everything else are still in Norfolk. Until the brass can figure it all out, he’s doomed to stay put, scrubbing washrooms and polishing concrete decks. He may be stuck for a long time.

He’s too sick and disgusted to write any more today.