This collection is comprised of letters from local servicemen and women to the George E. and Helene C. Quinn family of Montpelier, Vermont, during World War II. Many of the letters are from the Quinn's son, Robert, their several foster-sons, and local friends of the family. The collection also includes "pen-pal" letters from strangers, most written to the Quinn's daughter Betty. In addition to the letters, which reflect the wartime lives of non-commissioned personnel, the collection includes postcards, greeting cards, photographs, and newspapers clippings.

The correspondents write about daily life and work, health, and gossip from people from home. Many of the letter passed through military censors increasing the likelihood that any war news would be omitted. There are many examples of V-mail in which the recipient received a greatly reduced photocopy of the original.

The major correspondents with Helene Quinn or her family throughout the war were her son, Robert (b. 1922); her nephew David Hedges; her foster sons, Lewis E. Ball (b. 1921), Edward Brown, Kenneth Hannant (b. 1921), Martin Kepechia, and Robert Peters; and a Montpelier friend, Frank G. Scott (b. 1896). In February 1944 Hannant sent the Quinns four examples of wartime currency. There are two women correspondents in the collection, Lila Cassriel and Martina McFarlane (from Montpelier), who served in the WAVES and WACS, respectively. Neither woman served overseas.