Letter Written by Eugene K. Schmidt to the Bryant College Service Club Dated August 2, 1943

Abstract

[Transcription begins] CAMP HAAN * CALIFORNIA August 2, 1943 Dear B. S. C., A week ago I received your very interesting letter and enclosure of addresses. It is the first of that type I have received from you, and it was really swell. We are training a new group of men here, they have been here nearly a month now, and are learning fast. They come from Virginia, and believe me, you have never seen a group with so many guitar players. I am trying hard to write in the language I was taught, so if I slip up, please blame the music. The past three weeks have been very hot here, which is supposed to be unusual. In a few weeks we go to the desert for three weeks then back to Haan for more training. It will be my second trip, and from latest reports the temperature is 150° in the shade, but from experience I know there is no shade there. A week ago I saw a Liberator (B-24) crash and burn. It hit just two blocks from where we were, and besides burning gas and oil, the .50 ca. Mach. gun ammo was popping off in all directions. It was a terrible mess- especially to see them bring out one of the charred bodies. Glad our job is to shoot them down rather than fly them. Was sorry to hear Mrs. Doe [?] was so ill, and hope that by now she is well again. She was certainly a swell housemother. Am glad to see my classmates are doing so well in their branches of service, and hope they are all enjoying life. We have a lot of headaches here, as everywhere, but I wouldn’t want to return to civilian life for anything until the war is over. In case you didn’t receive my last letter thanking you for the cigarettes, I would like to do so now. I certainly appreciate them, and I know all the other fellows feel the same way. Note that you have a shortage of boys at school now, and can certainly understand why. Regardless of that I hope Bryant is still going strong, and hope the day of the greatest alumni at Bryant will soon be home. Congratulations to the Bryant Service Club for the sell work it is doing. Sincerely,Eugene Schmidt [Transcription ends