Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Don Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.006 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Nashville, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 February 1943 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 25.0 x 16.2 cm.
Addressed to "Don." Wanted to write a quick letter before he "leaves to help win the war." Thanks him for the "St. Cris" (St. Christopher Medal) on a nylon chain. Describes life in the barracks as "funnier than a musical comedy on broadway." Explains he hasn't had any classification tests yet, but will probably start on Monday. Moves on to talk about the rampant gambling, and the seven-hand poker games that Don would love. Complains about the tough grind of "K.P." [Kitchen Patrol] briefly and thanks Don again for his long letter and the "St. Cris" and the inscription on it.
Robert "Bob" Stone was a Bombardier in World War II and served in the Pacific Front. These letters, were compiled by Bob's wife, Sheila M. Stone, and Ali Adair into a book named Letters in a Box. This book details Bob's service to his country, and his life after the war. Bob's letters were donated to the collection by his wife, Sheila M. Stone, in 2017. It contains a variety of letters, postcards, patches, pins, photographs, and scrapbooks that relate to Bob's training and combat missions.
[Draft Created by Crowdsourcing]
Friday the 12th
Dear Don -
Really haven't time to write you a decent letter today cause I'm busy as hell, but still I want to drop you a line before you leave to help win the war.
The St. Cris arrived yesterday and it's really beautiful. Really kiddo, it's just the kind I wanted and that's not alot of bull. The nylon chain is very comfortable and I'd hardly know I was wearing anything at all - much more practical than a metal chain.
This place is really alot of laughs. The life in the barracks is funnier than a musical comedy on broadway as the fellows are a howl. There are all kinds of guys and they really make quite a conglomeration.
As yet I haven't had any classification tests although most of the fellows have. Probably the rest of us will start ours on monday. In the barracks you'd think it was Monte Carlo.
[2]
There are always two seven-hand poker games in session, gynn games galore, and a bunch of the kids play pinochle. We're in quarantine in a restricted area for two weeks and so everybody has alot of money with nothing to spend it on and so gambling runs rampant. The other night one kid was playing crap with two other guys and he cleaned them to the time of $45 - nice hall, eh? You'd have a field-day as there's a perpetual poker game to interest you - gosh how Jimmy would love it!
So far I've been on K.P. (we all have to take turns at it and it's no punishment) twice. We had to get up at 4:00 and work all day till the evening and boy is it a tough grind!!!
No more now as I must run to a formation. Again thanks millions for the St. Cris and the inscription on it. Also thanks muchly for the long letter. It came in the first mail any of us received and it was my first letter! Best o' luck to you in the army and let me hear from you once you get settled somewhere and I'll do likewise.
Again all luck -
Bobby
[envelope]
A/C R. L. Stone 12120188
Squadron D-4
Nashville Army Air Center
Nashville, Tenn.
Mr. Don Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City
N.Y.
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