DIY History | Transcribe | Nile Kinnick Collection | Nile Kinnick correspondence, June-August 1942

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Nile Kinnick correspondence, June-August 1942

1942-08-30: Page 03

floor of Younkers for a little chat with the hostess and cashier. They were not
at once there, but the cashier's desk was being redidd for the day's business by
a comely blond whom I recognized as Jane Fay. Very nice. She told me that she is
being groomed to take Theo's place when she goes back to Ames in a week or so. Theo
and Elsie came in presently and you can imagine the sort of gentle banter that ensued.
You will have that pleasure soon. Hope that you and Bob may collaborate on a little
social invasion there. It could not have the commando aspect of surprise, however,
as their scouts are on the alert constantly. But I fancy that the eager anticipation
of the enslaved peoples of the continent for the Allied invasion could not be greatly
more than that which I feel awaits a couple of ensigns from Miami. But drive with
reasonable caution.
Our neighbor, Lieut. Bristow, is expected back this morning, for several days
leave before assignment to another base, probably Salt Lake. Mrs. B. guesses that
he may be headed for Alaska, but I take that only as a speculation. Johnny Rushlau
received his wings last Thursday and his family is expecting him home soon. Walt
Willy says that Craig will have his diploma soon, about the same time that you do.
Walt has no word about leave, however.  Tom Pansing was to leave yesterday, so mother
tells me. The plan includes about a month at Notre Dame before transfer to Northwestern.
These travel notes are of increasing frequency, and the indications are that married
men will be going in increasing numbers, especially in some draft districts where the
other classifications have been exhausted. At times it occurs to me that quite
possibly out overall war effort is comparatively as great or even much greater than
in this country's previous participation in the business of war. But surely the
need is great and any power than can be thrown into the struggle will not be too
much. It has long been a conviction with me that the one thing that can contribute
most to an early determination of the contest is an ALL OUT effort by all of us. And
that thought doesn't add a whit to my own satisfaction as a contributor. A week or
more a go I sent an application to the Civil Service Commission, outlining what I
believed are my qualifications for work that might be of more help than the desk job
I now have. In other words, the air raid wardens post seems like a policeman's beat
in the suburbs. It will have to pickup a lot to relieve the frustrated feeling that
torments me. Maybe Bert is right.
Well, it is time to rouse the family, if George is to make the SS session.
He also is on the payroll, you know. Cheek room boy, at 50¢ per; and that ain't
alfalfa.
In anticipation.
Love   Pop

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floor of Younkers for a little chat with the hostess and cashier. They were not at once there, but the cashier's desk was being redidd for the day's business by a comely blond whom I recognized as Jane Fay. Very nice. She told me that she is being groomed to take Theo's place when she goes back to Ames in a week or so. Theo and Elsie came in presently and you can imagine the sort of gentle banter that ensued. You will have that pleasure soon. Hope that you and Bob may collaborate on a little social invasion there. It could not have the commando aspect of surprise, however, as their scouts are on the alert constantly. But I fancy that the eager anticipation of the enslaved peoples of the continent for the Allied invasion could not be greatly more than that which I feel awaits a couple of ensigns from Miami. But drive with reasonable caution. Our neighbor, Lieut. Bristow, is expected back this morning, for several days leave before assignment to another base, probably Salt Lake. Mrs. B. guesses that he may be headed for Alaska, but I take that only as a speculation. Johnny Rushlau received his wings last Thursday and his family is expecting him home soon. Walt Willy says that Craig will have his diploma soon, about the same time that you do. Walt has no word about leave, however. Tom Pansing was to leave yesterday, so mother tells me. The plan includes about a month at Notre Dame before transfer to Northwestern. These travel notes are of increasing frequency, and the indications are that married men will be going in increasing numbers, especially in some draft districts where the other classifications have been exhausted. At times it occurs to me that quite possibly out overall war effort is comparatively as great or even much greater than in this country's previous participation in the business of war. But surely the need is great and any power than can be thrown into the struggle will not be too much. It has long been a conviction with me that the one thing that can contribute most to an early determination of the contest is an ALL OUT effort by all of us. And that thought doesn't add a whit to my own satisfaction as a contributor. A week or more a go I sent an application to the Civil Service Commission, outlining what I believed are my qualifications for work that might be of more help than the desk job I now have. In other words, the air raid wardens post seems like a policeman's beat in the suburbs. It will have to pickup a lot to relieve the frustrated feeling that torments me. Maybe Bert is right. Well, it is time to rouse the family, if George is to make the SS session. He also is on the payroll, you know. Cheek room boy, at 50¢ per; and that ain't alfalfa. In anticipation. Love Pop