V-Mail Written by Bertrand Pinsonnault to the Bryant College Service Club Dated May 5, 1944

[Transcription begins]FROM: Sgt. Bert Pinsonnault 11[?]5171Staff Section 180th InfantryAPO 45, c/o PostmasterNew York, New YorkMay 5, 1944 TO: Bryant Service ClubBryant College1 Young Orchard Ave.Providence, Rhode Island BRYANT SERVICE CLUB: Received your letter of April 6, 1944 and very glad to get some late news of some of the fellows. Quite a shock to hear about Chuck (Charles Nofal) a great pal of mine while I was there. And Bus a POW; it\u27s pretty rough but there isn\u27t much one can do except hope that the whole thing gets over soon and the boys that are left get home soon. As for that Easter package, I regret very much to say that it did not get here as yet. I appreciate it a lot though, but the way the mails go at times there are plenty of things that never get here. As for myself, after a little siege in the hospital everything is going along in fine style, now and the future doesn\u27t look too bad. Out here the latest innovation is a little club strictly for the Division. You can bet that when the boys get off the beachead [sic] that all paths lead to the club 45. All the latest gadgets for losing a hard-earned pay as well as a little liquid refreshment. It really is the best thing that has happened to us since coming overseas. The best thing about the place is that the guys get together and it sure beats any fireside chat that\u27s ever been put out. there are some rather funny experiences as well as tragic ones. But to a lot of the fellows tragedies have become rather commonplace and they talk and laugh of them as such. An occasional Red Cross girl with the perpetual doughnut to brighten (?) a GI\u27s life. They certainly are appreciated in all ways; it gives us a chance to talk to some girl in English instead of continually stammering Niente and Si Si to every guinea that comes along. Weather is getting along pretty warm and I\u27m soon looking forward to a swim in the blue waters of the Mediterranean. And those blue waters are every bit as beautiful as the tourist guides advertise them. Recently had an opportunity to visit Capri and I really can\u27t see it as the papers put it. The first look is very disappointing; very rough and rocky looking and one would call all the people there just another form of parasite living on whatever they can mulch out of the tourist trade. And the latter is one thing that the local gentry is very adept and famous for. It seems that I\u27ve about run out and so I\u27ll close with the best for the Club and thanks for your letter. SincerelyBert Pinsonnault[Transcription ends