SGT LOUIS LAKIN
35370463
MED DET 128 INF
APO 32
% PM SAN FRAN CALIF
JAN 7, PHILIPPINES.

BRYANT COLLEGE
PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND

Bryant College

No doubt you will [be] surprised to receive this + from a stranger so I’ll attempt to clarify things. Leo Harrington, to whom you sent a Xmas package, had received his orders to be shipped home so he left instructions that all Xmas packages be sent to us in order that they would not go to waste.

We acknowledge receiving your package which arrived in good condition and want to thank you very much. I'm sure that Leo would have appreciated it as much as we did.

Sincerely
Sgt Louis Lakin
Sgt Joe McDonough

[Transcription ends]

Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
1 Young Orchard
Providence, R. I.

New Guinea

Hello Gang,

Would have answered your letter of April 6th much sooner but for the fact that I've been spending my time moving around so rapidly that my mail has had one grand time catching up with me. As a matter of fact I've moved so much lately that I'm afraid when I return to the U. S. the wanderlust will have gotten me.

At the present time am in a hospital here recuperating from another attack of malaria which has left me with anemia. The Dr. said today that they were going to give me iron, so if you hear any clanking around, you'll know it's me...of course that day is still far off.

To date haven't received the Easter package, but I'm in hopes it turns up for Christmas...that's really being an optimist at that. anyway when and if I receive it, you can be assured I'll enjoy it, so thanks for your nice thought.

By now am definitely fed up with the tropics despite the fact that the local belles wear their lap laps, sort of a sarong that Dorothy Lamour wouldn't dare to appear in, but then here modesty just isn't, at least not by the standards in the old country.

No more space now.

Sincerely yours,
Leo
[Transcription ends]

Bryant College Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, Rhode Island
U. S. A.

Somewhere in New Guinea

Hello there,

Your letter of December the 8th arrived here yesterday, so before I let any more grass grow under my feet, I'm going to get off an acknowledgment.

Noted that you've been kind enough to remember me with a Christmas package...thanks...it hasn't arrived here yet due to poor mail service to this point, but it will be something to look forward to. I'll let you know if and when I get it.

Don't think you'd particularly care for this piece of geography...can't understand why the Japs ever wanted this place, but then, every man to his own taste. It's hotter than ____, and there are a million and one different types of insects which look as if they were dreamed up by Rube Goldberg. Of course, there are the beaches, palm trees, moonlight, and,[sic] but I'd much rather take it from a seat in an air-cooled theater...Hollywood always does a better job than the original.

As for the local belles, well just give me Dorothy Lamour, she at least wears a sarong and leaves a little to the imagination. As for the men they wear a combination doiley and tablecloth, and they lead the parade, both fashion and otherwise.

You'd almost swear from what I've written that I didn't really love this place, well you're not wrong there.

No more space or ability to put words together to make sense so I'd better close.

Bye for now,
Leo
[Transcription ends]

Pvt. Leo S. Harrington [?]
Service Company 128 Infantry
APO # 32 c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.
May 27, 1943

Bryant Service Club
Providence, Rhode Island
U.S.A.

Australia

Hi there,

Received your letter of March 14^th today - - - a little delayed, but that caused, no doubt, to my change in address.

Nice to hear of all the boys and instructors [receiving ?] their commission in the services. As for myself, I’m still a private and will probably still be for six months plus, having no desire to be an officer, but wish to be a good private, for after all, privates are the workers, and officers really need someone to back their efforts.

Just reread that last paragraph and have almost [?] myself of its contents. Seriously, I think that they should be congratulated for their work, and more power to them.

At present I’m doing some rather interesting personnel work, but after [?] that, I can say no more…you’ll understand the reason.

As for receiving packages - - we receive practically everything we need right here…cigarettes at special rates and such, but I’d give almost anything to get ahold [sic] of a tin of salted peanuts. That’s one thing we cannot get here…the locals variety tastes as if they were cooked in castor oil, so if you care to send a package this way, I’d be quite appreciative. Regards to the Club and best of luck in your efforts.

Sincerely yours,
Leo S. Harrington ‘37

[Transcription ends]

Pfc. Leo S. Harrington
Service Co. [indecipherable] APO # 32
c/o P.M. San Francisco, Calif.
4 February 1944

The Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, R.I.
U.S.A.

Hello,

Today I celebrated Christmas all over again for your package [indecipherable] this neck of the woods... a little late, but none the less appreciated…thanks.

Since last writing to you, I’ve moved again…seems this army just won’t settle down in any one spot…in fact when I get back to civilian life I probably won’t be content unless I’m working with a carnival or a circus.

I’m afraid that you’ll find this writing illegible, but it’s the best I can make of the situation right now. I’m parked on a box right next to the beach doing my darndest [sic] to keep clear of falling coconuts and mosquitoes. There’s one thing certain that when I get back I’ll shun coconuts …even the kind out up by Boker in the colorful little packets.

The spot I’m in now isn’t too [indecipherable] in fact it’s quite bearable…a nice breeze from the ocean certainly makes a load of difference in this part of the world. Outside of a couple of air raid alerts and the noise from the artillery pounding away, there’s really nothing exciting going on around here.

Best of luck to the club and thanks again.

Sincerely yours,
Leo S. Harrington [Transcription ends]

PVT. LEO S. HARRINGTON # [?]
SERVICE COMPANY
APO # 32 [?]
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
MARCH 28, 1943

BRYANT SERVICE CLUB
BRYANT COLLEGE
PROVIDENCE, R. I.
U.S.A.

Hello,

Today I again had opportunity to celebrate Christmas of 1942, for my package from Bryant Service Club at last reached me.

Although the contents of chocolate covered cherries squashed into an unrecognizable mass mere far from being edible, yet I was able to enjoy receiving the package and the spirit that prompted it. Let me tell you that it’s when one gets in a foreign country like this that he appreciates others’ nice thoughts and good wishes.

To the Club and its workers, I wish to say thanks. What you are doing may seem to be trivial to you, but to us who receive the product of your time and effort, this means a great deal.

Don’t know what Emily Post or any authority on correct etiquette for writing a “thank you” note would say about the informality of this note to a club, but I feel as if I am writing to an intimate friend, and have to write accordingly. May the Service Club prosper during the year, and here’s to it, that the war will soon end so that it might fold up its worthwhile [?].

Sincerely yours,
Leo S. Harrington ‘37

[Transcription ends]

FEBRUARY 27, 1943

BRYANT SERVICE CLUB
BRYANT COLLEGE
PROVIDENCE, R.I.
U.S.A.

Hello,

I received a letter from my mother a week ago in which she told me that you had sent a package to me, and had not yet received any acknowledgement for the gift.

I’m really sorry that there has been such a delay, but as yet I have not received the gift. Since I last wrote, I have had a change of address and my mail since December 1st has been more or less fragmentary, but eventually I expect it all to catch up with me, and in the meantime all I can do is [?].

Despite the fact that I have not as yet received the package, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your kindness in thinking of me and the other boys in the service it somehow makes you feel good way down inside, and when I do receive the package I shall gladly acknowledge it.

Due to security reasons, I am unable to tell you of where I am or the type of work I am doing, so please excuse the lack of details until after we’ve won the war in the , I hope, not to distant future.

Again, thanks for your kindness, and the best of luck to your worthwhile efforts.

Sincerely yours,
Leo S. Harrington ‘37 [Transcription ends]

Jan. 21, 1943

Bryant College Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, R. I.

Dear Madam: --

Your letter of January 19, 1943 was received this morning. I have no way of knowing if Leo has received your package that you sent on December 4, 1942.

Leo was transferred from Camp Pickett, Virginia on December 6th, 1942 and while still in the States until Christmas day—his post office address was changed. His new address is: --

Pvt. Leo S. Harrington #31204679
A. P. O. 8298 (Medical)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco,
California
U. S. Army

I feel quite sure that Leo will write you when he receives the package; but I feel it may take some time.

On behalf of my son—I thank you very much for your kindness and I do appreciate what you are doing for the boys in the Service.

Sincerely
(Mrs) Bridget R. Harrington
[Transcription ends]

CAMP PICKETT, VIRGINIA

Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, R. I.

Gentlemen:

Today I received my copy of the Bryant Alumni Bulletin, and to be truthful, it was almost as good as a letter from home.

Before my induction into the Army on October 3rd, 1942, I never realized how much good mail can do for a person away from home, but I’ve learned through experience.

Since coming to Camp Pickett, I’ve attended Clerk’s School…finishing the course last Friday. I expect to be here for 3 or 4 more weeks before being assigned to a permanent unit…where, I do not know.

Army work and life are quite different from my civilian status as a Social Worker for the City of New Bedford, but fortunately my civilian position awaits my return after the war is over.

I correspond frequently with Sgt. Joseph A. Lenorseur (?) who is stationed at Fort Bragg, No. Carolina, and the last I heard from Pvt. Milton Rosen, ’37, he was in California.

I shall again look forward to the next issue of the Bryant Bulletin.

Sincerely yours,
Pvt. Leo S. Harrington, ‘37
[Transcription ends]