TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MALVERN TIMES JOURNAL MAY 8, 1918 P. 7
Dear Folks:
Well, I am O. K. and hope the rest of you are.
We soldiers had a half holiday this morning and heard Secretary McAdoo speak. People from San Antonio came out in great crowds. Must have been 10,000 people heard him.
There were also trick flying stunts. Men made their machines almost dance in the air. Some flew them upside down, others did loops, dives, and the best was to stand the tail straight down and not move. They were wonderful feats. One man went up about a mile and jumped out, coming down in a parachute.
Think that we will leave down here soon; don’t know where to.
The president’s daughter, Miss Margaret Wilson, has been singing here for the soldiers, but I have not had an opportunity of hearing her.
How are the people around Benton and other towns taking this war? Are they still talking and holding “patriotic” meetings and serving “dainty” refreshments along with the outbursts of patriotism? Such stuff as we read in the little town papers is enough to choke a mule. Why don’t the people get to work and stand behind this Liberty loan and help bring this slaughter to an end? I don’t believe that half of them realize that men—thousands of them—are suffering the very tortures of hell over in France. Right now is the crisis of this war, and Germany is doing her best to annihilate the British army. If they should whip Great Britain some of these tea-party patriots will then realize that we are very much in the war. We ought not to have so much gas, but a little more honest work and action. I have almost quit reading the newspapers, for outside of the war dope all one can read is
“Mrs.__________________ entertained the Patriotic Society; card tables, delicious refreshments, etc., followed.”
The U. S. wants three million men in France by December. I saw where Uncle Sam was going to take any man who had married or become of age since Registration Day, June 5, 1917. I think that takes in a few from the old town of Malvern. Well, a lunkhead who is able to go and does not is a coward and a skunk, and when the thing is over he should hunt his hole and go out only after dark. I am glad I am in, and if I never get on the battle front I can at least say I did my best.
Your son and brother,
VAN
660 Aero Squadron,
Kelley Field, Texas.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY KAREN PITTMAN
Dear Folks:
Well, I am O. K. and hope the rest of you are.
We soldiers had a half holiday this morning and heard Secretary McAdoo speak. People from San Antonio came out in great crowds. Must have been 10,000 people heard him.
There were also trick flying stunts. Men made their machines almost dance in the air. Some flew them upside down, others did loops, dives, and the best was to stand the tail straight down and not move. They were wonderful feats. One man went up about a mile and jumped out, coming down in a parachute.
Think that we will leave down here soon; don’t know where to.
The president’s daughter, Miss Margaret Wilson, has been singing here for the soldiers, but I have not had an opportunity of hearing her.
How are the people around Benton and other towns taking this war? Are they still talking and holding “patriotic” meetings and serving “dainty” refreshments along with the outbursts of patriotism? Such stuff as we read in the little town papers is enough to choke a mule. Why don’t the people get to work and stand behind this Liberty loan and help bring this slaughter to an end? I don’t believe that half of them realize that men—thousands of them—are suffering the very tortures of hell over in France. Right now is the crisis of this war, and Germany is doing her best to annihilate the British army. If they should whip Great Britain some of these tea-party patriots will then realize that we are very much in the war. We ought not to have so much gas, but a little more honest work and action. I have almost quit reading the newspapers, for outside of the war dope all one can read is
“Mrs.__________________ entertained the Patriotic Society; card tables, delicious refreshments, etc., followed.”
The U. S. wants three million men in France by December. I saw where Uncle Sam was going to take any man who had married or become of age since Registration Day, June 5, 1917. I think that takes in a few from the old town of Malvern. Well, a lunkhead who is able to go and does not is a coward and a skunk, and when the thing is over he should hunt his hole and go out only after dark. I am glad I am in, and if I never get on the battle front I can at least say I did my best.
Your son and brother,
VAN
660 Aero Squadron,
Kelley Field, Texas.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY KAREN PITTMAN