Oakland, CA October 8, 1947 - Groucho Marx (center) and his wife, Kay Gorcey stopped to chat with patients at the Veterans Administration Hops ital. The pair also gave a show for patients. Shown with them are Neil McMullen, William Kirkbride, Louis Reed and Willis Wilson (left to right). (Oakland Tribune Photo)
VETERANS CHRISTMAS
Oakland, CA Circa 1945 - Margaret Clare McDonnell, 4, stands on tiptoe to put her donation in a Veteran Hospitals’ Christmas Committee jar with help from Melson Business Association President Elmo Mazzera. (Oakland Tribune Staff Archives)
San Leandro, CA December 1945 - Pfc. George Crimes of San Francisco wraps presents at San Leandro Naval Hospital. (Oakland Tribune Staff Archives)
Oakland, CA December 21, 1947 - Nurses Rita Breit and Esther Kremer help World War II veterans Doug DeCosta (left) and Harold Cholcher decorate a tree at the Oakland Veterans Hospital. (Oakland Tribune Staff Archives)
Oakland, CA December 25, 1952 - Santa Claus presents gifts at the Oakland Veterans Hospital. Seated left to right are Virge Monroe and J.O. Bruce. Standing from left at Paul Argo, Joe Malouin and Hughy Smith. (Jim Edelen / Oakland Tribune Staff Archives)
TURKEYS FOR VETERANS
Veterans were treated to dinner, Thanksgiving Day November 28, 1946.
Clockwise from left: Robert Brown, William Kevern and Lester Miller load turkeys into the oven at the Oakland Army Base.
Louis Ponig, head chef at the Veterans Cafe in Richmond, CA and manager Eve Straight keep the turkeys basted.
The women of the Oakland Hospitality House were kept busy serving turkey to an endless line of servicemen on Thanksgiving Day.
Mrs. Francis Brinkhaur (right) and Mrs. Albert Keilson service after-dinner coffee at the Oakland Veterans Hospital to Jerry Pallock, Henry Crail, Earl Leonard and William E. McKean, a Spanish-American War veteran.
(All photos from the Oakland Tribune Staff Archives)
