When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Valentine's Day Edition

Since it's Valentine's Day and I just received a copy of my parents marriage license application in the mail yesterday, thought I'd post it.

Certificate of Marriage Registration, The City of New York, Office of the City Clerk, Marriage License Bureau. Marriage License for Bernard Garber and Norma C. Wilson, Number 2040, Recorded 25 January 1947.

	From the Groom	From the Bride
Full name	Bernard Garber	Norma C. Wilson
Color	W	W
Place of residence	2595 Ocean Ave.   Bklyn.	31 Colin Pl.   Bklyn.
Age	28     1/18/19	25    4/6/21
Occupation	Business	Bookkeeper
Place of birth	N.Y.C.	Brooklyn, NY
Full name of father	Jacob	Joseph
Country of birth of father	Ukrainia	Russia
Full maiden name of mother	Dora Morris	Tille [sic] Liebross
Country of birth of mother	Ukrainia	Austria
How many times have you been married	None	None

I, Solomon Marwit, Rabbi residing at 333 West 57 Street in the county of New york and the State of New York, do hereby certify that I did on this 9 day of February in the year A.D. 1947 ay 1230 P.M. at Siegel's Restaurant West 38th St. in the county of New York and the State of New York, solemnize the rites of matrimony between Bernard Garber of 2595 Ocean Ave. in the county of Kings and State of New York, and Norma C. Wilson of 31 Colin Place in the county of Kings and the State of New York in the presence of Erwin Siskind and Louis Cohen [sic] as witness and the license therefor is hereto annexed.

Witness my hand at 333 West 57 St. in the county of Nee York this 9 day of February A.D. 1947.

In presence of     Erwin Siskind                                               Solomon Marwit
                              (Signature of Witness)                            (Signature of Person Performing Ceremony)
Residence   14 Billings Place, B'klyn, N.Y.                          333 West 57 Street 

                               Louis Cohn
                                     (Signature of Witness)
Residence   949 East 12 St Brooklyn


The Rabbi performing the ceremony was Rabbi and Cantor Solomon Marwit who was married to my maternal grandfather's sister, Esther Wilson Marwit.

The witnesses were Erwin Siskind and Louis Cohn. Siskind, was the husband of my mother's good friend Rosella Mass Siskind. Louis Cohn was a relative of my mother's. He was married to my maternal grandmother Tillie's first cousin Sarah Ett Cohn.

Other posts in this series:
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 1
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 2
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 3
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 4
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 5
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 6
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 7
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 8
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 9
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 10 
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 11
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 12

When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: 66th Wedding Anniversary

Norma Wilson Garber and Bernard (Sonny) Garber

My parents were married on 9 February 1947 - 66 years ago. Unfortunately, I do not, right now, have their wedding photograph. So, I've scanned one from about 30 years later.

Their wedding and the celebration at a restaurant was somewhat small due to the fact that my mother's aunt Celia Liebross had passed away just a couple of  months before.[1] During the twelve months after a family death, Judaism proscribes celebrations for those in mourning. Thus, Norma and Bernie's party was kept to a minimum.

By the time my parents reached their 50th wedding anniversary, they really didn't want for anything. In an inspired moment, I had medals made for them for surviving all those years together. Truth be told they were well-suited for each other and their marriage did not require heroism or extraordinary bravery in the face of adversity. They absolutely loved the medals and wore them proudly as we feted them at a restaurant.

Notes: 
1. New York County, New York, Certificate of Death, number 26589 (16 December 1946), Celia Liebross, New York City Municipal Archives, New York.

Other posts in this series:
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 1
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 2
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 3
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 4
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 5
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 6
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 7
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 8
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 9
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 10 
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 11
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 12

When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 12

When my father died in 2002 and my mother began her precipitous decline (dying eight months later) my brother and I began the arduous task of cleaning out the house. In my mother's dresser drawer I found a packet of twelve envelopes containing letters my father had sent her during their courtship. The letters are sweet and humorous, completely reminiscent of my father's personality. They are a wonderful chronicle of the beginning of their enduring love-affair.

In honor of what would be my parents 66th anniversary on February 9th, I will be posting a letter each day along with an annotated transcription adding additional insights and explication.

____________________________

August 29, 1945

Dear Norma,

    I had just made up my mind that if I didn't get a letter today I would take you over my knee and warm the seat of your pants. Luckily for you, a letter came this morning, and you were spared. Boy, am I rough and tough, g-r-r-r-r.

    I had heard that my cousin had returned to the states but your letter was the first one telling me that he was home.  [1] If you know Herbie Auerbach you surely must know Irving as they were both in class night. [2] Did he tell you about his exploits overseas and how he won the war single handed. He was always very modest so I am sure he didn't. He was never very aggressive with women or has he changed?

    I am sorry to hear that Skippy is sick. [3] I'll bet you have your handsful [sic] taking care of him. 

    That block party sounds like a swell idea. I'll bet you will have lots of fun. Don't get all beered up you old sot.

    As far as getting a pass I don't think I'll need one. I will be home, a full fledged civilian by that time. Today, I went through the necessary processing to clear this field. I had a medical and surprizingly [sic] enough, I passed. I had my clothing checked again and tomorrow I shall have my records checked. That will prepare me for Camp Dix. [4] I don't expect to stay at Dix more that forty-eight hours and I should be home by Tuesday of next week, at the latest, unless I run into a snag. [5]

    The weather here has been rather warm. As I sit here and write the sweat is pouring off me. The radio says that the weather at home has been very poor and cold. It gets a little chilly in the evening and that only helps sleep.

    I saw George Raft in "Johnny Angel" last night. It was all right and it passed the evening. My idea of a perfect picture would be to get all the screen tough guys together and let them fight it out. Can you just picture Alan Hale, George Raft, Humphrey Bogart and a few others, all together. [6] Boy, what a brawl and all the blood running down the street, hubba, hubba.

    I guess that about brings me up to date. I don't think it would be advisable for you to answer this as I won't be here to receive it. Just try to think of me once in a while. I'll be seeing you.

                                                                                                       Love

                                                                           

                                                                                                       Sonny

Notes:

1. Irving Garber (1920-2000), son of Nathan and Yetta Garber (see here and here), served in the Army Air Corps, as well. Like my mother Norma, he attended Lincoln High School. She was acquainted with him.

2. Herbert Auerbach (1919-1968), son of Martin and Jeanette Auerbach, was a long-time good friend of my father's. Later in life, after both he and my father were married with children, he and his wife Sylvia lived just a few miles from my family on Long Island. He died suddenly and too young, leaving his wife and three children.
3. My mother had at least two dogs during her youth. I know she, at one point, had Bruno the St. Bernard (named after the dog in Gone With the Wind). She also had another one (perhaps Skippy), a wire-haired terrier prone to running outside and rolling in mud puddles immediately after he'd been bathed.
4. Camp Dix (aka Fort Dix) near Trenton, New Jersey is about 75 miles from Brooklyn, New York. Much closer to home than Langley, Virginia.
5. No snag, apparently. Bernard Garber was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps at the Personnel Center at Fort Dix, New Jersey on 3 September 1945. 
Final Payment Roll, Attached Unassigned Separation Center 1262d SCU Personnel Center, Fort Dix, New Jersey, Voucher no. 78261, 3 September 1945, identifying several soldiers including Bernard Garber. National Personnel Records Center, St Louis, Missouri.
6. Actually, they'd already made a movie together: They Drive by Night (1940).

Other posts in this series:
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 1
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 2
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 3
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 4
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 5
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 6

When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 7
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 8
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 9
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 10 
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 11
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: 66th Wedding Anniversary 

When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 11

When my father died in 2002 and my mother began her precipitous decline (dying eight months later) my brother and I began the arduous task of cleaning out the house. In my mother's dresser drawer I found a packet of twelve envelopes containing letters my father had sent her during their courtship. The letters are sweet and humorous, completely reminiscent of my father's personality. They are a wonderful chronicle of the beginning of their enduring love-affair.

In honor of what would be my parents 66th anniversary on February 9th, I will be posting a letter each day along with an annotated transcription adding additional insights and explication.

____________________________

August 25, 1945

My Dear Norma,

    Yours of Aug. 23 received and it was a morale booster. Glad to hear from you, keed.

    I never thought you were impetuous but you certainly did not waste time with that job of yours. It must be wonderful to be independent. You certainly must have had a falling out with that other boss of yours, to take on so. However, it was a good idea to be sure of a prospective recommendation from your other boss.

   I received a letter from "Pap" the other day and he is fine. [1] He asked for you. He is still a member of the liesure [sic] class. He is looking around in a half interested manner. It seems that he is expecting another mustering out check soon and wants to take it easy. I can't see his attitude at all but he was always that way. Perhaps, his attitude of letting things take care of themselves is a good thing.

    I have been fine, as usual, and going about my appointed duties. Last night I went to the early show and spent a boring few hours. Jimmy Stewart in an ancient picture called "Johnny Steps Forward." [2] I like Jimmy Stewart but the plot was so thin and so exaggerated in typical Hollywood style that I was sorry I went. They had a dance afterwards and I sent the remainder of the evening there. This morning I reported for work as usual but we had two hours off for lunch. We were promised a big V-J day spread and it finally came.  We had a turkey diner with all the fixings plus free beer. I ate my fill.

    In every letter I mention something about a discharge but things seem to be getting closer and closer every day. This afternoon they posted the first list and others will follow daily. I expect to come out sometime next week. I have an idea that I will be home within two weeks. Something can happen but I doubt it at this point.

    From the sound of your letter and your closing "lackadaiscally" I imagine you are leading a wild life. Rough isn't it. How about our old friend Mishofsky hasn't he been around, lately. He ought to be interesting company as he is quite a character.

    That about brings me up to the present so I will close with

                                                                                                                 Love

                                                                                                                 Sonny

Notes:
1. I have not been able to track Sonny's friend, Pap, and determine his full name.
2. This must have been a completely forgettable Jimmy Stewart film: I have not found anything about it on the Internet. It is not listed in lists of his films. If anyone has a clue, please let me know.

Other posts in this series:
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 1
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 2
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 3
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 4

When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 5
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 6
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 7
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 8
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 9

When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 10
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 12
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: 66th Wedding Aniversary 

When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 10

When my father died in 2002 and my mother began her precipitous decline (dying eight months later) my brother and I began the arduous task of cleaning out the house. In my mother's dresser drawer I found a packet of twelve envelopes containing letters my father had sent her during their courtship. The letters are sweet and humorous, completely reminiscent of my father's personality. They are a wonderful chronicle of the beginning of their enduring love-affair.

In honor of what would be my parents 66th anniversary on February 9th, I will be posting a letter each day along with an annotated transcription adding additional insights and explication.

____________________________

August 22, 1945

Dear Norma,

    Today, I received two letters from you and the pleasure was all mine. They were dated the 19th and 20th and I was glad to hear from you.

     Thanks a lot for the picture and I must say that is a little more like it. That picture looks like you as I remember it. I keep the picture in my wallet, next to my heart. I hope you have not noticed where I carry my wallet or you wouldn't believe me.

  The news of the war seemed to have effected [sic] me the same way that it did you. I guess all those false starts caused that let-down when the real thing came.

    I was surprized [sic] when I heard that you quit your job. You seemed to like the work and was getting along so well with everyone. Oh well! I guess you had your reason and it probably was a good one.

    Right now I am reading "The Red Badge of Courage" but I am not getting on so well with it. It deals with the civil war and I don't particularly care for anything that even mentions war. However, the interesting part of it is that the author describes certain feelings, doubts, and anxieties that a soldier goes through and he hits home every time. The remarkable part of it is that the author was never in battle at the time he wrote the book but has an excellent grasp of it.

    I'll try to get hold of "Fountainhead" on you recommendation.

    Looking at letter number two I find you dabbling in tennis and golf. I was going to challenge you in either one of these sports but I hesitate. My neck still burns when I recall how I went down in ignominious defeat at bowling. [1] I've played tennis a few times but will hardly say I ever approach efficiency at the game. I've played golf two or three times, too, with the same results. In Amarillo, Texas we had a nine hole course with 40 as par for the course. [2] I would up with a bang up 66. Do you see what I mean. You can't say I didn't try though.

    You were perfectly right about those services I mentioned. I guess I have always looked at it that way but never did express it that way.

    As far as I am concerned things are pretty much routine. I worked today, as usual, but did not work too hard. I guess they will make up for it tomorrow. Last night there was a dance at the N.C.O. club which we attended. We had a few drinks and a few dances and so to bed. I went downtown last night just for the express purpose of getting a steak. I managed a nice sizzling steak and returned to the base as that's all the town has to offer. [3] [4]

    That's about all for the present so I'll say, bye now.

                                                                                                           Love

                                                                                                           Sonny

Notes:
1. My father became a life-long bowler and bowled with friends in the B'nai Brith Bowling League in Rockville Center, Long Island, for many years. My mother bowled for a few years and played tennis with friends regularly for a while, but did not pursue her past times with the same passion.
2. Likely Amarillo Air Force Base. Unfortunately, my father's Army Air Corps service records were likely destroyed in the fire at the archives in Missouri in 1973. When I requested records, all I received were his mustering out paperwork.
3. I think steak was my father's favorite food. 
4. The town is probably Langley, VA.


Other posts in this series:
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 1
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 2
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 3
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 4
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 5
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 6
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 7 
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 8 
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 9
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 11
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 12
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: 66th Wedding Anniversary 

When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 9

When my father died in 2002 and my mother began her precipitous decline (dying eight months later) my brother and I began the arduous task of cleaning out the house. In my mother's dresser drawer I found a packet of twelve envelopes containing letters my father had sent her during their courtship. The letters are sweet and humorous, completely reminiscent of my father's personality. They are a wonderful chronicle of the beginning of their enduring love-affair.

In honor of what would be my parents 66th anniversary on February 9th, I will be posting a letter each day along with an annotated transcription adding additional insights and explication.

____________________________

August 21, 1945

My Dear Norma,

    I am fine and hope that this letter finds you just as well.

    Yesterday I had a long hard day as the air inspector happened to pick our ship. He went over the ship with a fine tooth comb and brought out many things. This meant additional work for us. Naturally, I don't exactly relish the work but I am one hundred percent for keeping the ship in top shape. I used to fly in those things myself and can appreciate good maintenance. At least I try hard.

    I had a dream last night and naturally it was as disconnected as most dreams. I was home and there was a whole mob there. Out of the clear blue sky I found myself lying in bed with the same mob all around me. Then you walked in and told me that you were going to get married to some guy. For some reason I had a very sad expression on my face. Then, I woke up. I wonder how Freud would interpret that dream or is it obvious.

    Yesterday they called all the men with 85 points or over to a meeting. They didn't beat around the bush but stated definitely that the majority of us would be discharged in anywhere from two days to two months. This field is ready to release us and has set the machinery in motion. Our names will be sent to the various separation centers and we will be shipped there as soon as they can handle us. It is entirely up to them, now. This is the first concrete fact we received, yet. I won't get worked up yet because anything can happen in this man's army.

    Our Dodgers are falling further and further behind in the pennant race. Oh well! We can't win them all. Wait till next year. [1]

    That's about it for the present so I'll sign off. Remember me to all.

                                                                                                          Love

                                                                                                          Sonny 

Note:
1. The 1945 Brooklyn Dodgers finished 11 games back in third place in baseball's National League.

Other posts in this series:
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 1
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 2
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 3
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 4 
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 5
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 6
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 7 
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 8
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 10
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 11
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 12 
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: 66th Wedding Anniversary  

When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 8

When my father died in 2002 and my mother began her precipitous decline (dying eight months later) my brother and I began the arduous task of cleaning out the house. In my mother's dresser drawer I found a packet of twelve envelopes containing letters my father had sent her during their courtship. The letters are sweet and humorous, completely reminiscent of my father's personality. They are a wonderful chronicle of the beginning of their enduring love-affair.

In honor of what would be my parents 66th anniversary on February 9th, I will be posting a letter each day along with an annotated transcription adding additional insights and explication.

____________________________

August 19, 1945

Dear Norma,

    It is now Sunday evening and I am about to go to bed. This is more of a good night than a hello. I like good nights better anyway. hubba! hubba!

    The service club ran a bus to Virginia Beach and I took advantage of it. We arrived there at eleven in the morning and spent the rest of the day on the beach. I, now, have the start of a pretty good tan but my nose looks like a beet. That darn thing sticks out enough to be closest to the sun. The water was pretty rough and there was an undertow making swimming a little difficult. After being buffeted about by the waves and running around the beach, I am a little tired, this evening.

    Besides spending a pleasant day it was good for me to get away from it all. It was a complete change of scenery.

    I didn't check the mail today because I came back to [sic] late but I hope there is a letter from you waiting for me. I am bucking for a pass on the Jewish Holidays and I am looking forward to seeing you. That is if I get the pass.

    That's about all for this evening, so I'll close with regards to all.

                                                                                                          Love

                                                                                                          Sonny

Other posts in this series:
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 1
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 2
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 3
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 4 
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 5 
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 6
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 7
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 9
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 10 
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 11
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: Courtship Letters, 12
When Bernie (Sonny) met Norma: 66th Wedding Anniversary