Assam - - - India
23 January 1945

Dear Gang,

I received your very welcome package, a little late, but nevertheless welcome. The fact that it was late was no fault of yours because none of my packages from Uncle Sugar arrived up in this neck of the woods until after the 15^th of January.

I was very surprised to receive a Christmas card from one of the boys from the Class ’40, Lt. Bill McGrath and his buddy Ed Cafferty. Bill must have been home on furlough because his card was addressed from Providence.

The address that you have is still my current one and from the looks of things it probably will be for some time to come, but you can rest assured that if it does change you will be one of the first to be notified, because it sure is good to hear from you folks back there and to hear what’s going on back at the old Alma Mammy.

Thanks again for the package. Give XXX my regards to all the gang and here’s hoping I’ll be able to come up and see you all in person not too far in the future.

Sincerely,
"Al" Houle

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Dear Friends,

I received your letter today dated May 30th and since it took me so long to get it, I thought I had better answer right away so you wouldn't think me ungrateful for the gifts and news of Bryant which you have sent me.

First I want to thank you for the many letters and packages you have sent me. Although it may have taken a little time for them to catch up with me, I think I have received them all and it sure is swell to hear from the school where I spent two of the happiest years of my life.

I graduated from Army Finance School at Wake Forest College last March and I was sent from there to Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, Fla., to work in the Finance Department there. It was hard to remember that I was in the Army down there because there was so much to do with my spare time. Everything that was available to the winter tourists in Palm Beach was made available for us soldiers. But all good things must come to an end and two weeks ago I was sent up here in the wild and wooly west.

This is a very nice place too, although it could never compare with Palm Beach. The scenery here is beautiful. Gore Field is located on a plateau in the Cascade Range, which makes up the foothills of the Rockies. All around us are snow-capped peaks and the natives here tell me that by the middle of September we can expect to see the ground covered with snow. the Summers are very short up here and the Winters long and cold, sometimes getting as cold as 45° below zero. I don't mind this though because it is all part of my tour of the United States at Uncle Sam's expence [sic]. Who knows, he might even let me get a look at Alaska or Russia.

Well, I think this is all the news I have for you from this end. Keep your swell letters coming and give my regards to all the gang at Bryant.

Thank you again for all your kindness.

Sincerely yours,
Joseph A. Houle Jr.
Cpl. Joseph A. Houle Jr.

Finance Detachment
7th Ferrying Group, ATC
Gore Field, Great Falls, Montana
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Cpl. Joseph A. Houle, Jr.
FROM Cpl. Joseph A. Houle, Jr.
Finance Office, 557^th AAF Base
Unit, 7^th Ferrying Group, FD
ATC, Gore Fld, Great Falls, Mont.

TO-
Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Hope and Young Orchard Sts.
Providence, R. I.

USO

April 20, 1944

Hello Gang,

I received your very nice Easter gift and I thank you all for your kindness. It’s swell to know the folks back home are still thinking of you.

The weather here in Montana is beautiful although the natives of the state claim it is really a false Spring. They say we are still due for some more cold weather, but nevertheless I am enjoying this while I can.

I hope to be enjoying some Rhode Island weather in a couple of months when I come home on furlough (I hope). When and if I do get this furlough I’ll try to drop in and see you all. Thanks again.

Cpl. Joseph A. Houle Jr.

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Dear Friends,

I received your generous gift of cigarettes and your newsy letter of goings on at Bryant and I want to thank you all. It's swell to here [sic] from you all again.

Things are fine in this part of the country, but it is very cold. We don't mind the weather though because after all we are the best dressed army in the world.

Well thanks again for the cigarettes and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all. I hope your Christmas dinner is as good as mine. No rationing in the Army you know.

Cpl. Jos. A. Houle, Jr.
Cpl. Joseph A. Houle, Jr.
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