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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.029.01 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Ellington Field, Texas Type: Typed letter signed Date: 25 May 1943 Pagination: 1 p. : envelope ; 26.4 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document

Addressed to "Dad." A brief note asking Jacob Stone to purchase gifts for Bob's brothers, Jimmy and Barry on his and Don's behalf. Enclosed two slips of paper congratulating each boy on graduating. He offers to pay his father back, and apologizes as he cannot go out and purchase something himself due to a physics test.

The is not dated, except for a "Tuesday afternoon" in the top right corner. "Letters in a Box" notes it was written on May 25, 1943.

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]
Tuesday Afternoon
Dear Dad:
I have just time for a quick note in which I'd like to ask you to do me a favor, if you will please. I haven't had a chance to get anything for the boy's graduation, and I just realized that the great day arrives next week. I don't think Don has done anything about it either and I'd appreciate it if you'd attend to a present from the two of us. Enclosed is a card that you can enclose if you will. I'm sorry to bother you with this, Dad, but I just won't have a chance to do anything since I'm not going into town this Wednesday because of a physics test coming up very soon. Get something nice and let me know how much it is and I'll send you money for both Don and myself.
All goes well here since I last wrote on Saturday. I had a swell time down at Galveston Sunday. It was fun to get back on the beach again after a two week lay-off. The swimming is swell except that the water is too darn warm.
Can't think of any more to write now. Thanks loads in advance for attending to the graduation presents, and I do hope it isn't too much trouble.
Lots of love,
Bobby

[envelope]
A/C R. L. Stone 12120188
Bombardier Wing
Group 21, Squadron D
Ellington Field, Texas

Lt. Comdr. J. C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City
N.Y.

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009
Stone, Jacob, fl. 1894-1985

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