Bryant Service Club:

It appears as if a Christmas package was necessary to shake me out of my trance, but things out this way have been moving along rather rapidly, and my time has been limited.

My sincere appreciation for your Christmas gift & many thanks to all who have contributed in any way toward it. It really is a swell thing over here to receive those tokens of remembrance & makes a fellow feel that he isn't quite so alone.

My Christmas holiday shan't be spent in Tokyo or Berlin, but here's hoping that the latter event may come up soon. And you're sure right about God's Country (back there) there certainly is none other like it. Again, many thanks.

Bert Pinsonnault
[Transcription ends]

Sgt. Bert Pinsonnault 11[?]5171
Staff Section 180th Infantry
APO 45, c/o Postmaster
New York, New York
May 5, 1944

TO:

Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
1 Young Orchard Ave.
Providence, Rhode Island

BRYANT SERVICE CLUB:

Received your letter of April 6, 1944 and very glad to get some late news of some of the fellows. Quite a shock to hear about Chuck (Charles Nofal) a great pal of mine while I was there. And Bus a POW; it's pretty rough but there isn't much one can do except hope that the whole thing gets over soon and the boys that are left get home soon.

As for that Easter package, I regret very much to say that it did not get here as yet. I appreciate it a lot though, but the way the mails go at times there are plenty of things that never get here.

As for myself, after a little siege in the hospital everything is going along in fine style, now and the future doesn't look too bad. Out here the latest innovation is a little club strictly for the Division. You can bet that when the boys get off the beachead [sic] that all paths lead to the "club 45." All the latest gadgets for losing a hard-earned pay as well as a little liquid refreshment. It really is the best thing that has happened to us since coming overseas.

The best thing about the place is that the guys get together and it sure beats any fireside chat that's ever been put out. there are some rather funny experiences as well as tragic ones. But to a lot of the fellows tragedies have become rather commonplace and they talk and laugh of them as such.

An occasional Red Cross girl with the perpetual doughnut to brighten (?) a GI's life. They certainly are appreciated in all ways; it gives us a chance to talk to some girl in English instead of continually stammering Niente and Si Si to every "guinea" that comes along.

Weather is getting along pretty warm and I'm soon looking forward to a swim in the blue waters of the Mediterranean. And those blue waters are every bit as beautiful as the tourist guides advertise them. Recently had an opportunity to visit Capri and I really can't see it as the papers put it. The first look is very disappointing; very rough and rocky looking and one would call all the people there just another form of parasite living on whatever they can mulch out of the tourist trade. And the latter is one thing that the local gentry is very adept and famous for.

It seems that I've about run out and so I'll close with the best for the Club and thanks for your letter.

Sincerely
Bert Pinsonnault
[Transcription ends]

Somewhere in Italy

Bryant Service Club:

Have just received your letter which, you may be sure, was very welcome. Very interesting news, especially that about the missing boys; particularly Aguiar whom I remember very well, although, it seems so long ago.

It must have been a rather perplexing situation on opening day; finding oneself so greatly outnumbered, though, should have its merits.

Out here, things move along in the same routine. Occasionaly [sic] air raids and such do disturb us, but that's only one of the many things to put up with.

Recently the weather has turned to the cold, even some snow to remind us of back home. Rain was our constant "friend" for quite a while, but now things are drying up very fast.

An interesting fact, here, is the way the women work. While the boss of the house (man) sits beside the fire, the woman does all the heavy work. They carry the wood, build fires, mix sement [sic] and carry it. They carry everything balanced on their head; it's very common to see them prancing about with 50 to 100 lbs. on their heads.

As for their dress; the people wear varied costumes. Thick wool sox and the inevitable sandal which is prominent throughout the country. Just a shoe carved out of a log to fit the foot, then to this they add a couple straps to hold them on.

The whole country might be called very primitive; for tools and working instruments everything dates back to about the 18th century; at least it seems so to us.

The larger cities are much more modern in every way. In Naples, where I had the opportunity to visit, they even run to soda fountains. Seeing all these ancient places really is interesting. Things that seemed so remote--Vesuvius, Pompeii etc.,--just like entering another world very removed from our normal existence.

The holidays were rather quietly celebrated. Naturally, all the result of available, or rather the lack of available material to produce a more noisy atmosphere. the New Year was welcomed in with a distinct bang; the roar of 155's. Very fitting end to a progressive year.

Your package has not as yet been received, but you may be sure that it will be accorded a very hearty welcome, as well as the many thanks for all you and the Service Club are doing for all the boys.

For myself, everything is as well as could be expected. Enjoyed a week's stay at the hospital, (influenza) I say enjoyed because that was about the first opportunity we had of talking to an American girl once more. Since then, though, we have been getting "good do'nuts from Red Cross girls, and in that way we manage to keep some sort of contact with civilization.

This chatter must stop with the waning light, so, with many thanks for your letter and a not too late repitition [sic] of same, I'll sign off.

Sincerely
Bert Pinsonnault

P. S. Keep up the good work. Those letters are great.

P.P.S. Am enclosing a few Italian coins for anyone who is interested.
[Transcription ends]

Mar 16, 1943

Bryant Service Club:

I believe another acknowledgement is in order. Your package arrived at a very opportune time as we are still awaiting pay for February.

So all the Profs are getting their commissions. Rather nice for them, but it must leave Bryant rather under-staffed.

You can’t realize how the comfort of a barrack appear as luxuries after a few weeks in the mountains. Those maneuvers certainly make one appreciate civilization once more.

Our postmaster address is kept in order to prevent confusion when we change camps. All packages are required to be mailed only within the states unless accompanied by a request signed by the Enlisted Man’s C.O.

Bryant is one of the few colleges with any such organization and it’s a very happy occasion, indeed, when we hear from you.

Thank you and keep up the good work.

Sincerely
Bert Pinsonnault

P.S. Enclosed is a pamphlet of a spot we visited while on a 25 mile tour (walk) [Transcription ends]

UNITED STATES ARMY
PINE CAMP, NEW YORK

Dec. 28, 1942

Bryant Service Club:

It seems that the only times at which I write are when I’m acknowledging receipt of some package. I received your latest Xmas package today and also your greetings of the year.

Up here it is still cold with plenty of snow that never leaves any doubt as to it being winter. Snowshoes + skis are in abundance.

Things here are moving along rather fast + we’re rather busy with plenty of extra work so I’ll have to close by wishing all Bryant Service Club members the Best Wishes for the Holiday Season.

Sincerely
Bertrand Pinsonnault [Transcription ends]

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

Bryant Service Club:

I’d like to inform you first of all, that so far we have not been shipped out of the country. As you will note the new return address places me in Pine Camp.

Is it cold up here? 15° above zero with bright promises for lower temperatures. We have a couple of inches of snow here now and I’m looking forward to catching up on my winter sports (in my spare time?).

I wish to thank you most heartily for your gift and also for the last copy of the Bryant Campus. It makes for a very pleasant reading—fond remembrances….

May I remark again that the Bryant Service Club is doing well by all and that we here in the service appreciate and also realize some of the hard work behind it.

Sincerely,
Bert Pinsonnault
[Transcription ends]

BRYANT SERVICE CLUB
BRYANT COLLEGE
PROVIDENCE, R. I.

Chariman [sic]:

In writing this letter, I am assuming that your club keeps up a current list of all those former students now in the Armed Service. I have lost contact with Russell Aliezzi with whom I graduated in the Class of 1940.

If you have his address and it does not inconvenience you too much, I would sincerely appreciate your forwarding it to me.

I’ll also take this opportunity to thank you for that CAMPUS which I look forward to receiving at each issue.

Sincerely yours,

BERTRAND PINSONNAULT
[Transcription ends]

Bryant Service Club:

I’m very sorry to have neglected writing in so long but things up this way have been rather busy. Things at the office are [sic] here are moving fast.

I received your gift while on maneuvers hence the length of time before replying.

Thanks an awful lot, I appreciate it very much and at that time it was very handy.

Up here, everybody seems surprised to see me get those gifts so I guess old Bryant is one of the very few doing so much for us.

Cpl. Bert Pinsonneault

P.S. Awfully sorry about the writing but here in the field without lights it’s pretty difficult.
[Transcription ends]

June 22, 1942

Bryant Service Club:

I received your very welcome package today and am acknowledging receipt immediately.

It’s a fine gesture you, the Club, are making and you may be sure that we boys in the Service appreciate it very much.

It seems to me that it would be a very good idea if the Club could forward to each one of us boys a list of the others who graduated in the same year and are in the Service.

Merely a suggestion but I know all the others I have met would be appreciative.

Thank you again.

Bert Pinsonnault [Transcription ends]

U.S. INFANTRY
CAMP CROFT, S.C.

May 13, 1942

Bryant Service Club:

I have received your package and wish to express my thanks for everything including the letter I received from one of the Club Members.

You can be sure that the Club is appreciated by everyone and that all the Alumnus is proud of your organization.

I am moving out from here in a short time, so I’ll send in my new address as soon as possible.

Sincerely yours,

Bert Pinsonnault [Transcription ends]