HEADQUARTERS
HARBOR DEFENSES OF NARRAGANSETT BAY
Fort Adams, R.I.

17 July 1943

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

Dear Gang:

Received your recent letter and with it a deep red face. Would have been willing to “swear” that I’d written thanking you for the cigarettes. Am ashamed of my thoughtlessness. Trust, however, you will forgive me.

Have just recently returned from a 10 day furlough deep in the heart of Maine with my “better half”. Had a wonderful time and it certainly was a very desirable change in my usual routine. I will realize how much you all would like to have taken my place, especially now with exams coming up.

A little more news. “Yours truly” is to be a “Pop” about the first of November. Oh, happy Day, at last I am a man!

Again I thank you for all you are doing and also wish each of you the best of luck in your coming exams.

Sincerely,

Gordon A. Van Eck
Gordon A. Van Eck
Corporal, C.S.C. [Transcription ends]

HEADQUARTERS
HARBOR DEFENSES OF NARRAGANSETT BAY
Fort Adams, R. I.

March 23, 1943

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

Dear Gang,

Just a few lines from an “8 hour a day soldier” to thank you all for your recent letter and gift of cigarettes. Your letter contained a lot of interesting news and the cigarettes many hours of enjoyable smoking.

Curious about “an 8 hour a day soldier”? Well, I’m just a “racketeer” or “goldbrick”, if you wish. You see, I work from 8 to 5 each day for the General’s Staff. The remainder of the time is my own. My wife and I have a cute little apartment in Newport where we hang our hats. Each morning I yawn and come to the Fort - - each afternoon I reverse the process. Just like a happy little civilian. It won’t last much longer, but while it does it’s a lot of fun.

Have finally found the true secret to success in business and friendship. Much simpler, I assure you, than reading “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. As for the business end, you’re getting that right now. And for the friendship end, just have your wife work for the gasoline ration board - - you’ll be surprised at the number of new friends you’ll make. Makes you quite a here on the eyes of your fellow men, too! But, shucks, there’s only one drawback in the scheme for me - - I have no car!

Oh, well, be good little children and study real hard - - and thanks, sincerely, for your interest.

GORDON A. VAN ECK
Corporal, C. A. C. [Transcription ends]

January 12, 1943

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

Dear Friends:

Thanks once again for your thoughtfulness. Each and every time the mail brings something from Bryant I spend the remainder of the day reminiscing. While not very far from Bryant in terms of miles, other things do make it seem a long long ways off. Perhaps, in a year or so, we can all have a bang-up reunion. That would be the best way I know to start off our lives again, don’t you think so too?

Thanks again for your practical and timely gift of cigarettes.

Yours, for victory!

Gordon A. Van Eck
Gordon A. Van Eck
Corporal, C. A. C.
[Transcription ends]

October 17, 1942

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

Dear Sir:

My folks remailed the enclosed card to me, and I was surprised to learn that you ahd not received my acknowledgement. In my last letter I also stated my new address, which is:

Corporal Gordon Van Eck
Hq., H. D. of Narr. Bay
Fort Adams, R.I.

Next month, November 14th, I am getting married to a Newport girl, Jeannette P. McAlpine. I’ve been given permission to live in Newport, and at the present we’re spending our time looking for an apartment. Also I’ve been granted a 10 day furlough for a honeymoon. So you see the Army has its good sides as well as the bad which is usually emphasized.

We, in the service, appreciate all you are doing to keep alive the ties with the past. Thanks a lot.

Best regards,

Gordon Van Eck
Corporal, C.A.C. [Transcription ends]

May 29, 1942

Dear Gang:

You’ll never know the pleasure your gift of cigarettes gave me. I certainly was surprised and way down deep it gave me a happy feeling to know that the “old School” is doing its part too.

If and when any of you fellows join up you can rest assured that your present training will stand you in good stead--not joking either.

Here I’ve been in the Army close to 14 months and for 12 of them I’ve been doing clerical work. Of course I’m not a General but--confidentially the work’s a racket.

If any of you are as fortunate as to be stationed here at Jamestown, get in touch with me- I’ll be glad to give you all the tips and help I can.

Thanks again for remembering,

Gordon A. Van Eck
Corp. 243d C.A. Personnel
Fort Getty, R.I. [Transcription ends]

July 8, 1942

Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, R.I.

Dear Gang:

Once again I write to acknowledge receipt of your gift of cigarettes. There is little more that I can say in the form of “Thanks” that I have not previously said, yet I do appreciate all you are doing from the bottom of my heart.

Received also the June issue of Bryant Alumni Bulletin and it certainly brings back many a pleasant memory. The list of Bryant Alumni in the various services is growing by leaps and bounds I noted, and it makes me feel pretty proud of the old school.

I see you had a dandy write-up in the paper the other night. A well deserved one, I’m sure. Noticed Prof. Richards’ picture and, confidentially, he hasn’t reduced much, has he[?]

Have once more been shifted around. I now have the best job I have had in the Army. Am working in the Newport Subsector Headquarters. We have charge of all supplies for the entire defenses from New Bedford to Long Island Sound. Am the luckiest fellow down here in my opinion as I now am able to have a pass whenever I am not actually working. It took me 15 months to get a job like this but it finally came through.

My address has also changed, so in the future, please write me at 3rd Bn. Hq. Btry., 243d Coast Artillery, Fort Adams, R.I.

Thanks for being so good to all of us in the service,

Gordon Van Eck
Corp., 3rd Bn Hq Btry
243d CA, Ft. Adams, R.I.

[Attached note:]

We think your Service Club idea an excellent one. Boys in service will surely appreciate it. Gordon says his Bryant Training has helped him on many occasions since he graduated and serves him well in his present capacity.

A. F. Van Eck [Transcription ends]