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Nile Kinnick correspondence, January-May 1942

1942-01-17: Front

January 17, 1942
Dear SB:
Your recent letters, particularly the on on "My Day", have really put us in tune with your activities, and the reports have been very pleasing to us. We rejoice in your flying progress and in the fact that you made eight wpm in radio and were the last man up in McGuffy drill. As you stated, the leader ought to be at the top, and you wouldn't be happy with anything less. Perhaps you also have been aware of the tone that has characterized your letters lately. There has been a quick adaptation of your spirit of leadership in this new field and it has been evident that you have wanted to miss no trick and that you have risen to the requirements immediately they become known to you. I see in your letters a reawakening of your always natural rise to a challenge that you believe is important; first the necessity for careful preparation and then the playing of the game itself. Of course it will not find you wanting in any respect. And how we do need good, sound and alert leadership! Not only in the particular activity in which you are engaged, but in every phase of this national effort. I have no  doubt that you will have ample opportunity to exercise those talents which proved valuable in those crises of a couple of years ago, now somewhat dwarfed by the ones now upon us. And I do not doubt that the score will be as favorable this time.
Mother has written to you since coming back from her three day visit in Adel, and probably has commented on her trip. Very mild weather made it possible for her to drive, expediting her travel and enabling her to stop for a visit with the Bices on her return. Bett was home for Christmas and the three home folks expect to see her in Chicago soon when Don goes in for the annual convention of his company. Russ still is at Jacksonville, and according to Ruth may get 10 days furlough soon, with the possibility of being in Chicago while Don et al are there.
The several pictures that you sent arrived and mother took one of each to grandma. I commented on the cocky look you wear in those pictures, andmother attributed it to the gal who was snapping the camera. Your brief description of her was adequate. A sort of Jane Arden, I take it.
By the way, we have it here that Bob Runyan had some downchecks. Is he still there? How is Ken coming? Just now I talked briefly over the phone with Barbara (Hobbs) Rose, who told me that Bob had been in the air for the first time on Thursday. Her husband is in San Francisco expecting to sail anytime for the far east with the first complete hospital unit to go over seas.
No doubt mother has commented on the Digest fiasco. When it came it was atonce sent on in the same wrapper. George took it over to Baum's for determination of the postage necessary, and he affixed 1 1/2ȼ as suggested, which apparently was an error on the part of someone. We shall try to be more careful next time. In Winchell's piece this week I saw a small item of some interest which I shall attach here. My analysis of the comment on the mag on the virge of a dirge is that it does not necessarily apply to the Digest, no more than the last statement in the same paragraph about L. Ball.

Saving...

January 17, 1942 Dear SB: Your recent letters, particularly the on on "My Day", have really put us in tune with your activities, and the reports have been very pleasing to us. We rejoice in your flying progress and in the fact that you made eight wpm in radio and were the last man up in McGuffy drill. As you stated, the leader ought to be at the top, and you wouldn't be happy with anything less. Perhaps you also have been aware of the tone that has characterized your letters lately. There has been a quick adaptation of your spirit of leadership in this new field and it has been evident that you have wanted to miss no trick and that you have risen to the requirements immediately they become known to you. I see in your letters a reawakening of your always natural rise to a challenge that you believe is important; first the necessity for careful preparation and then the playing of the game itself. Of course it will not find you wanting in any respect. And how we do need good, sound and alert leadership! Not only in the particular activity in which you are engaged, but in every phase of this national effort. I have no doubt that you will have ample opportunity to exercise those talents which proved valuable in those crises of a couple of years ago, now somewhat dwarfed by the ones now upon us. And I do not doubt that the score will be as favorable this time. Mother has written to you since coming back from her three day visit in Adel, and probably has commented on her trip. Very mild weather made it possible for her to drive, expediting her travel and enabling her to stop for a visit with the Bices on her return. Bett was home for Christmas and the three home folks expect to see her in Chicago soon when Don goes in for the annual convention of his company. Russ still is at Jacksonville, and according to Ruth may get 10 days furlough soon, with the possibility of being in Chicago while Don et al are there. The several pictures that you sent arrived and mother took one of each to grandma. I commented on the cocky look you wear in those pictures, andmother attributed it to the gal who was snapping the camera. Your brief description of her was adequate. A sort of Jane Arden, I take it. By the way, we have it here that Bob Runyan had some downchecks. Is he still there? How is Ken coming? Just now I talked briefly over the phone with Barbara (Hobbs) Rose, who told me that Bob had been in the air for the first time on Thursday. Her husband is in San Francisco expecting to sail anytime for the far east with the first complete hospital unit to go over seas. No doubt mother has commented on the Digest fiasco. When it came it was atonce sent on in the same wrapper. George took it over to Baum's for determination of the postage necessary, and he affixed 1 1/2ȼ as suggested, which apparently was an error on the part of someone. We shall try to be more careful next time. In Winchell's piece this week I saw a small item of some interest which I shall attach here. My analysis of the comment on the mag on the virge of a dirge is that it does not necessarily apply to the Digest, no more than the last statement in the same paragraph about L. Ball.