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Nile Kinnick correspondence, June-August 1942

1942-06-07: Page 03

When at the President's reception at Ames Friday afternoon we met your friend Earl
Hall of Mason City, who was most cordial and urged me to come in to see him when in
MC. A few weeks ago he spoke before the men of the college at Ames, and more than one
person told me that he used you as an example of leadership as it should be among our
young men. I understand that he indulged in many superlatives. Very nice, but you
well know the danger of staying up in the clouds until they close in below you.
Speaking of being in the clouds, Ben remarked that he hadn't read enough of the world's
news in the past three weeks to be posted on events.  Quite understandable, when he
has been under the spell of Cupid. Can't blame him at all, and I could be the same
about Eleanor without half trying. She is superlative, too. Pres. Friley remarked
to me as we passed down the line, "The finest girl and the finest boy here", which
I thought was generous of him. There is apt to be quite a gap from the last quarter
at Ames to the rigorous and serious business of the training camp. But I reckon
Ben can handle the assignment. He certainly has a strong finish and I will never bet
against him. These next two weeks will be busy ones for him and Ellie; trying to get
in enough of that certain something to last over the vacant spot that will follow the
trek west about two weeks hence. That will hardly be classed as sweet parting.
In Adel I talked with Scott Snyder a few minutes and he talked of your exchange of
letters. He said that John Snyder is scared that he won't make the grade, but has
felt that way at every check. You haven't mentioned Ken Pettit for quite some time.
He is still there, I assume. About what proportion of the boys drop out as the training
progresses? During the coming year the output of pilots will be something to remark
about, considering the vastly enlarged program that is getting under way. If the Allied
nations can hold off the Axis this summer and fall, the tide ought to be rather overwhelming before a year from now; but believe me brother it looks like the struggle
this summer will really be titanic - and for keeps. I would guess that there will
be simultaneous fighting on every continent and most of the islands. And what a fate
the Axis boys are fixing for themselves. What a pity that the whole world has to
suffer before they do.
Last evening we stopped in Atlantic for a visit with Ruth. Don is fishing in Minn.
Butch is working in the local greenhouse, 45 hours a week for six bucks. Russ is
still on the Agusta, flagship of the Atlantic fleet I understand. He had a short
leave on the east coast lately and Bett went there to see him for a couple of days.
Sumner is still on the Southard and seems to ply between San Francisco and Hawaii.
Ed. Williams is on patrol from a base on the river in Florida where he was first
assigned.
The Iowa countryside looks fine. Some places, northern part, have had too much
rain, while otherscould use a good shower. Average rainfall has been good, the corn
is a little late because of spring rains. Wish that you could see it. What a
strong pull the land has for anyone who has been rooted in it. I should feel quite
lost if I should find myself out of contact with farm activities. It would not be
at all unwelcome, as far as I am personally concerned, if an opportunity should
open for actual farm operation again. Nothing in mind, but the thought finds a
gracious reception.  Many things could be worse.
Mighty sorry to have Mark Thornburg beaten. Don't regard Mark as a statesman of
high rank, but believe him sound and progressive and pledged to a mighty good leader,
meaning Wendell L.  The farmers certainly neglected their privilege, evidently
believing it more important to plant corn and cut alfalfa than to vote. Too bad.
Preliminary indications were that Mark would lead handily, and I would guess that
too many of his friends figured that they wouldn't need to make the effort. That
sort of an attitude can lose wars, too.
I em enclosing an insurance notice, due on the 10th of June, but with 30 days grace.
Wish that you could be here for association this week end and we shall miss you.
Love  Pop

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When at the President's reception at Ames Friday afternoon we met your friend Earl Hall of Mason City, who was most cordial and urged me to come in to see him when in MC. A few weeks ago he spoke before the men of the college at Ames, and more than one person told me that he used you as an example of leadership as it should be among our young men. I understand that he indulged in many superlatives. Very nice, but you well know the danger of staying up in the clouds until they close in below you. Speaking of being in the clouds, Ben remarked that he hadn't read enough of the world's news in the past three weeks to be posted on events. Quite understandable, when he has been under the spell of Cupid. Can't blame him at all, and I could be the same about Eleanor without half trying. She is superlative, too. Pres. Friley remarked to me as we passed down the line, "The finest girl and the finest boy here", which I thought was generous of him. There is apt to be quite a gap from the last quarter at Ames to the rigorous and serious business of the training camp. But I reckon Ben can handle the assignment. He certainly has a strong finish and I will never bet against him. These next two weeks will be busy ones for him and Ellie; trying to get in enough of that certain something to last over the vacant spot that will follow the trek west about two weeks hence. That will hardly be classed as sweet parting. In Adel I talked with Scott Snyder a few minutes and he talked of your exchange of letters. He said that John Snyder is scared that he won't make the grade, but has felt that way at every check. You haven't mentioned Ken Pettit for quite some time. He is still there, I assume. About what proportion of the boys drop out as the training progresses? During the coming year the output of pilots will be something to remark about, considering the vastly enlarged program that is getting under way. If the Allied nations can hold off the Axis this summer and fall, the tide ought to be rather overwhelming before a year from now; but believe me brother it looks like the struggle this summer will really be titanic - and for keeps. I would guess that there will be simultaneous fighting on every continent and most of the islands. And what a fate the Axis boys are fixing for themselves. What a pity that the whole world has to suffer before they do. Last evening we stopped in Atlantic for a visit with Ruth. Don is fishing in Minn. Butch is working in the local greenhouse, 45 hours a week for six bucks. Russ is still on the Agusta, flagship of the Atlantic fleet I understand. He had a short leave on the east coast lately and Bett went there to see him for a couple of days. Sumner is still on the Southard and seems to ply between San Francisco and Hawaii. Ed. Williams is on patrol from a base on the river in Florida where he was first assigned. The Iowa countryside looks fine. Some places, northern part, have had too much rain, while otherscould use a good shower. Average rainfall has been good, the corn is a little late because of spring rains. Wish that you could see it. What a strong pull the land has for anyone who has been rooted in it. I should feel quite lost if I should find myself out of contact with farm activities. It would not be at all unwelcome, as far as I am personally concerned, if an opportunity should open for actual farm operation again. Nothing in mind, but the thought finds a gracious reception. Many things could be worse. Mighty sorry to have Mark Thornburg beaten. Don't regard Mark as a statesman of high rank, but believe him sound and progressive and pledged to a mighty good leader, meaning Wendell L. The farmers certainly neglected their privilege, evidently believing it more important to plant corn and cut alfalfa than to vote. Too bad. Preliminary indications were that Mark would lead handily, and I would guess that too many of his friends figured that they wouldn't need to make the effort. That sort of an attitude can lose wars, too. I em enclosing an insurance notice, due on the 10th of June, but with 30 days grace. Wish that you could be here for association this week end and we shall miss you. Love Pop