TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD AUGUST 30, 1918 P. 5
Navy Balloon School
Arcadia, Cal., Aug. 23, 1918
Editor Star Herald:
I am a long way from home and that old saying that there is no place like home has sure been impressed upon a lot of us boys.. If you care to and have the space perhaps this letter will be of interest to the people at home, as coming from one of the Boys that has joined in the present big undertaking of civilized nations to crush a fierce military machine.
I am in a mighty pretty part of the world, where the people are doing all in their power to show us the best time that is possible. Nothing is too good for us and as most of the people here have automobiles, we are free to ride any time that we see a machine that has room for another passenger and they come to the gate and wait for us and are more than glad to take us any place that we want to go and ask us to dinner and dances and parties.
I’ll try to tell you something about the camp and the surrounding country. We are just south of the finest big mountain that you ever saw, about seven thousand feet high, famous for the Mount Wilson Observatory and the Mount Lowe Scenic Railway, and we are close enough so that we can go any Saturday or Sunday that we can get a pass. There are many little creeks and beautiful trees that make the finest camping grounds you ever saw. The entire country around here reminds one of a fair grounds, as each place is beautiful in it’s self, fine lawns and trees and roses bloom all the year around. This part of the state is the home of innumerable millionaires from all parts of the land and they vie with one another in building and maintaining the finest homes. Especially is this true of Pasadena and Hollywood.
As for my work, I am on an ambulance and find that time rather drags, as there is very little sickness here. But my work may lead me into something that is full of life, should they ever decide that they need us over there. We read and hear about the boys that have gone and are going and what a fine part they are playing in this great game, and I’m here to tell you that we sure are envious of their good fortune. This as you perhaps know, is a balloon school, and the boys are learning to become pilots and observers. There are a good many that are about ready for their commissions and so it is just possible that we may be sent over before the next Spring drive starts, and we want to help settle this struggle as soon as possible so that we can get back home and get settled down to business that is profitable and more fitting men that consider themselves civilized, but you can bet that none of us are going to come back until old Kaiser Bill says enough and says it as though he meant it and promised by all that is holy and on more convincing terms than his knees, that he will try and get along with the rest of us.
A copy of that old paper will be welcomed with open arms, as a fellow sure wonders lots of times when he is far away from home, just what the different people he knows are doing. Give them all my very best regards and good luck to you all.
Your Friend,
Corporal George Caldwell.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Navy Balloon School
Arcadia, Cal., Aug. 23, 1918
Editor Star Herald:
I am a long way from home and that old saying that there is no place like home has sure been impressed upon a lot of us boys.. If you care to and have the space perhaps this letter will be of interest to the people at home, as coming from one of the Boys that has joined in the present big undertaking of civilized nations to crush a fierce military machine.
I am in a mighty pretty part of the world, where the people are doing all in their power to show us the best time that is possible. Nothing is too good for us and as most of the people here have automobiles, we are free to ride any time that we see a machine that has room for another passenger and they come to the gate and wait for us and are more than glad to take us any place that we want to go and ask us to dinner and dances and parties.
I’ll try to tell you something about the camp and the surrounding country. We are just south of the finest big mountain that you ever saw, about seven thousand feet high, famous for the Mount Wilson Observatory and the Mount Lowe Scenic Railway, and we are close enough so that we can go any Saturday or Sunday that we can get a pass. There are many little creeks and beautiful trees that make the finest camping grounds you ever saw. The entire country around here reminds one of a fair grounds, as each place is beautiful in it’s self, fine lawns and trees and roses bloom all the year around. This part of the state is the home of innumerable millionaires from all parts of the land and they vie with one another in building and maintaining the finest homes. Especially is this true of Pasadena and Hollywood.
As for my work, I am on an ambulance and find that time rather drags, as there is very little sickness here. But my work may lead me into something that is full of life, should they ever decide that they need us over there. We read and hear about the boys that have gone and are going and what a fine part they are playing in this great game, and I’m here to tell you that we sure are envious of their good fortune. This as you perhaps know, is a balloon school, and the boys are learning to become pilots and observers. There are a good many that are about ready for their commissions and so it is just possible that we may be sent over before the next Spring drive starts, and we want to help settle this struggle as soon as possible so that we can get back home and get settled down to business that is profitable and more fitting men that consider themselves civilized, but you can bet that none of us are going to come back until old Kaiser Bill says enough and says it as though he meant it and promised by all that is holy and on more convincing terms than his knees, that he will try and get along with the rest of us.
A copy of that old paper will be welcomed with open arms, as a fellow sure wonders lots of times when he is far away from home, just what the different people he knows are doing. Give them all my very best regards and good luck to you all.
Your Friend,
Corporal George Caldwell.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS