The War Letters

February 13, 1944

"Well here I am in the Big City." Roughly a third of the barracks came to NYC. Frank's one friend, Abraham Aaroni, offered to let him stay with him and his family, but he declined. Abe did take his fatigues for him though, for which he is thankful. He stood on the train the whole way from Trenton to NYC, other than that the trip was uneventful. After trying to get a room at several places, he returned to Penn Station to the U.S.O. Travelers Aid. There he found there were also no single rooms available. While inquiring, he met a Southern sailor, Carey Higdon, who was well acquainted with NYC and since the only room available was a double at the Rex Hotel, they headed there together. After getting washed up, they went to eat at the Service Man's Center run by Pepsi-Cola in Times Square, he was able to get in touch with the Fellman's and got directions to E 78th. Carey got him as far as the subway where some people from Syracuse "took care of the Army", and saw that he was headed in the right direction. Upon arrival, he got to the apartment, rang the buzzer, but no answer. He was told by the clerk that they'd gone out a short time ago, which seemed strange, so he went to a bar, and had a Rupert beer on draught to wait it out. After the third "slow" beer, he called the apartment again - seems the clerk thought he was looking for the Feltmann apartment and they'd been there the entire time, playing bridge, so he headed back. They were all glad to see him..."such kissing, and me not having seen a woman for 17 days". After their visit he returned to the hotel. Church was planned for 8:00 the next morning at Actors Chapel on 49th Street...