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Dearest Mother & Family: -
Well I have just about recovered from my first sick spell since I have
enlisted. Today was the first I have been out this week. Luckily we were
not on the move or I may have been dropped behind. I was certainly "quiffy".
Had a good warm room, however, and on that ground I was able to persuade
the doctors to give me quinnine. They don't like to give us quinnine
because it is not the best thing for a man subjected to all kinds of
weather. I promised to stay in and I did so. Now I am O.K. again altho a
trifle weak. I am bound to have a touch every year, I guess. You know it
was just another case of "having run myself to death" as you and dad used
to tell me when I got that way back home.
Had a very quiet Thanksgiving. We had a good dinner of beans and pork but
everyone figures we would be thankful we're living. I have received plenty
of mail lately. One letter from Grace was written on the 9th. She didn't
know when she said peace would be here soon how soon it would be, did she?
How happy the news must have made you! Ethel wrote to me and sent me the
first sheet of the Evening Sun. Her letter was mailed on the 12th in
Scottdale and came to me here on the 24th. That's speed! There has been
bad weather again for the last few days. Seems like old times. The day
peace was signed the sun came out and up until a few days ago we had
splendid weather.
Also received your papers and clippings. Was certainly sorry to hear of
Ralph Walkers death. Please extend my condolences to his people. Then
another thing that made me feel better was when Grace wrote saying that
she had heard from Ben. Surely hope he can bear up and stay well until we
come back. In the letter from Florence you enclosed she mentioned
something about Albert and talked as tho Mrs. Hemp was or had been ill.
Another thing, which Joe McCullough died? Still another, you never
mentioned receiving my first cablegram and yet Ethel writes you were
pleased to get it.
Don't you worry about that Xmas Package. We received our coupons late and
none of us expect packages. I know what you have done other Xmas' and what
you would like to do this one, but just you wait. It won't be long! I was
struck when I read of Doc Engle being taken. And glad to hear that Frank
Hill was out again. J. Overholt didn't have any of Grandfather's product
in him when he made those 2 loops, did he? He must be good and it is too
bad he didn't get a chance to become an "ace". Airplanes are nothing to us
now we have seen all kinds and anything they do doesn't seem wonderful to
us. We have watched them train, we have seen groups of them fighting, and
many come down in flames. Quentin Roosevelts plane was downed just before
we went through Chateau-Thierry but when we reached there it had been "souveniered"
until even the wheels were gone.
We were going through another course of training now and by the time we're
mustered out should be fairly intelligent. Aside from that we do nothing
but talk of home, pot-pie, mince-pie, oysters, hot-cakes, etc. This way we
work up some great appetites. I've only been able to get a few Xmas cards
and they were issued by the "Y". In closing I'll say that I want you to
remember me to everyone and extend my best wishes to them of the season.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR"
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