Christmas Dinner Menu 1943

Sent  by Ed Egras, crew member in the engineering department. The menu was for crew only. The troop passengers ate twice daily, out of their mess kits, standing up in their mess hall. On December 25 1943, the West Point was heading back from Milne Bay, New Guinea. They Arrived in San Francisco on December 28 1943.  The poem below was included with the menu

It just leads my soul away.

It takes me back across the years

To the joy of yesterday.

I see a certain homestead

As it was short years ago;

With candles gleaming on a tree

And faces all aglow

Long knots now separate us

From home this Christmas Day,

But we can still help trim the tree

Easily, The V-MAIL way.

Menu

 Puree of Peas Soup with Toasted Croutons

Sweet Gherkins           Pineapple Salad

Stuffed Celery           Ripe Olives

Roast Tom Turkey

Oyster Dressing           Giblet Gravy

Cranberry Sauce

Baked Ham

Creamed Mashed Potatoes   French Peas

Buttered Asparagus

Hot Finger Rolls

Fruit Cake           Mince Pie

Fresh Fruit     Ice Cream

Candy   Nuts   Coffee

Cigarettes