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S/Sgt. John W. Gorman,
ASN31038473
Hq. & Hq. Company, P. C. C.
A. P. O. 523, c/o Postmaster
New York, New York
March 1, 1945
BRYANT SERVICE CLUB
BRYANT COLLEGE
PROVIDENCE,
RHODE ISLAND
Dear members of the Service Club,
I want to take this opportunity of thanking you all for you very kind and thoughtful remembrance of me at Christmastime. It was might fine, and I want you all to know that I appreciate your kind thoughts. Christmas away from our loved ones is a pretty tough proposition to contend with, but our sadness is softened considerably by these little reminders from friends and relatives that let us know that we aren’t forgotten. SO thanks a lot- here’s hoping I will be home, with all the other fellows in uniform, to enjoy our next in a manner more fitting the occasion.
I am awfully sorry for this delay in acknowledging the receipt of your very nice gift – but the fact is, I just recently returned to my present station after having enjoyed a grand furlough in Palestine and the Holy Land. The overall time for same was about four weeks, and upon my return there was a lot of unfinished business that had accumulated during my absence. You know, of course, that there is a war going on- and the job at hand, by necessity, had to receive number one priority. I trust you understand, dear people – and I am awfully sorry that I was unable to write you before this. From my address you will note that I am situated almost half way around the world – in a land that should be quite familiar to you as a result of what you have learned in Ancient History classes. However, don’t get the idea that there is anything glamorous about this part of the world – true, it is considered by many as the cradle of civilization. Well, if that is so, I am sorry to say that civilization must have died in the cradle because conditions and customs of the people have progressed very slowly during the past few centuries. I have been over here, now, pretty close to two and one-half years – and you will agree that is an awfully long time.
Our primary job, until recently, was to get those vital supplies through to Uncle Joe – and, if you have been following the progress of our Russian Allies, you will be better able to appreciate the fine job that has been done. True, we have not been fighting in the front lines, nevertheless we have had our difficulties and hardships over here in Persia. The heat in the summertime is really terrific – Persia, you know, is considered as one of the hottest spots on the globe- and, too, we have had to contend with malaria, typhus, dysentery and fly fever, and other tropical diseases…and these have caused numerous casualties. However, we have gotten the supplies through- the records speak for themselves.
Someday, soon, I hope to get back tot the good old U. S. A. and it is my honest intention to stop up to Bryant and renew old acquaintances – and, I trust, to make new ones too. It has been a long time since I have had the opportunity – and methinks there are quite a few new faces amongst the faculty. I am one of the old-timers, you know, and many pleasant memories of old Bryant flash through my mind very frequently. It is a great little school – if you do not appreciate that fact now, you will in time.
Here in Persia we are somewhat cut off from the outside world – our only news arrives by letter about once every two weeks. Would appreciate more news from Bryant – and no doubt many others feel the same way.
Thanks again and good luck.
Yours truly
John Gorman
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