A/C Robert B. Swain 43 C
Army Flying Base
Blytheville
Ark

R. J. Swain
Manufacturer of
Plain, Beaded and Ash Dowels
East Andover, Maine

Jan 31 1943

Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Providence

Dear Members:

Thank you so much for all you have done for my son Robert B. & I am so sorry he has not shown to you his appreciation.

He has evidently appreciated them as he has written me about receiving two boxes of chocolates from you. I send him cookies some times. They have plenty of food in a way but they do miss the home food and the sweets.

Robert B. has moved again just last Mon. Jan. 25 & if he has no failure in the air, landing or in his studies will receive his wings & 2nd Lieut. upon completion here. Address – above.

Again, thanking you for us & for him.
(Mrs. Robert J. Swain) Lucie Swain [Transcription ends]

U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE

Blytheville, Ark.
Jan. 27, 1943

Dear Bryant College:

I received a christmas package from you and a letter some time ago but I haven’t seemed to find the time to write. They keep us busy most of the time and when night comes we feel like sleeping.

I have just been transferred from Greenville, Miss. where I completed my basic training. I’m going to receive my advanced flight training here. I’ll be flying twin engine trainers, this will complete my cadet training.

I have gotten along quite well with all my training and hope to do all-right here. I expect this will be the toughest of all previous training I have had. The way we were greeted I expect there will be a lot of discipline. It all depend[s] on how we take it how they treat us. Here they will weed out the last few that can’t take it.

We arrived here to see snow on the ground which had fallen the night before. None of us were dressed for cold weather. We had to move into cold barracks which were a very welcome sight. Tar paper low roof barracks, five rooms with a pot belly coal stove in each room. We wasted no time getting a good fire going and we like the old stove now.

I’d like to be remembered to all the College staff. I suppose a few are left that were there when I attended classes. I’m planning to see Bryant College again someday.

I’m enclosing a newspaper clipping*, from which you may get an item for the next Alumni bulletin. If convenient please return the clipping.

As Always

Bob Swain

(Clipping told of Bob’s recent engagement) [sic]
In December of 2009, the library received a copy of this newspaper clipping and it reported an engagement not marriage. The library assumes the comment, "Clipping told of Bob’s recent marriage", was written on the letter by the Bryant Service Club upon its receipt in 1943.

^A/_C Robert B Swain Class 43-C
Squadron D
Army Flying Base
Blytheville
Ark. [Transcription ends]