TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DEWITT ENTERPRISE FEBRUARY 14, 1918 P. 4
Mr. A. L. Kite
DeWitt, Ark.
Dear Brother:
Today is leisure day for the Sammies and I hardly know how to pass the time away. Sunday is the only day we have to ourselves and I will pass a few moments by writing to you. Perhaps you would like to know something of the environments here--there is little else to tell.
The navy yards where I am are situated on Pensacola Bay, about nine miles from the city of Pensacola. The scenery is new and relieving and the climate mild and pleasant--as a whole, this seems a place to enjoy life. We are at liberty every other night and need not return to camp till eight the next morning. A large government boat goes to Pensacola at five in the evening and back at eleven, just for the accommodation of sailors, aviators and marines who wish to go to town to spend the evening. In addition to this, there is a trolly car running each way at hourly intervals. If pleasure will prevent it, certainly shall not get homesick.
A record of a day in the U. S. navy air station may interest you. Rolled out at six in the morning and took an hour’s exercise, leaving from seven till eight in which to take a bath and get ready for breakfast. At fifteen minutes to nine we mustered for roll call and drilled till twelve. We had two hours off for dinner and mustered again at two to drill till four-thirty. We were then at leisure till six o’clock supper, after which we had two hours before the final muster for the day. Back to my room again I learned that a few articles of clothing which I had left in an improper place had been taken, and was informed later that I was just that much looser. The lights went out at ten and I undressed in the dark.
Well, A. L., I don’t suppose I will be here very much longer, as orders were received yesterday to stand ready for a draft. I took out a $5,000 life insurance policy and was inspected--a pretty good sign that I am long gone. Our first transfer will doubtless be to Hampton Roads, and I feel sure it will be Tuesday--of course, we never know.
Tell everybody hello. Tell them also that if they wish to enjoy life they had better join the U. S. navy. It is great!
With best regards to all.
C. R. Kite,
Lds. MM Co. 35.
NOTES: Clarence R. Kite was born on July 10, 1896 and died on July 11, 1952. He is buried in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Brinkley, Arkansas. He was a mechanic in the military.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Mr. A. L. Kite
DeWitt, Ark.
Dear Brother:
Today is leisure day for the Sammies and I hardly know how to pass the time away. Sunday is the only day we have to ourselves and I will pass a few moments by writing to you. Perhaps you would like to know something of the environments here--there is little else to tell.
The navy yards where I am are situated on Pensacola Bay, about nine miles from the city of Pensacola. The scenery is new and relieving and the climate mild and pleasant--as a whole, this seems a place to enjoy life. We are at liberty every other night and need not return to camp till eight the next morning. A large government boat goes to Pensacola at five in the evening and back at eleven, just for the accommodation of sailors, aviators and marines who wish to go to town to spend the evening. In addition to this, there is a trolly car running each way at hourly intervals. If pleasure will prevent it, certainly shall not get homesick.
A record of a day in the U. S. navy air station may interest you. Rolled out at six in the morning and took an hour’s exercise, leaving from seven till eight in which to take a bath and get ready for breakfast. At fifteen minutes to nine we mustered for roll call and drilled till twelve. We had two hours off for dinner and mustered again at two to drill till four-thirty. We were then at leisure till six o’clock supper, after which we had two hours before the final muster for the day. Back to my room again I learned that a few articles of clothing which I had left in an improper place had been taken, and was informed later that I was just that much looser. The lights went out at ten and I undressed in the dark.
Well, A. L., I don’t suppose I will be here very much longer, as orders were received yesterday to stand ready for a draft. I took out a $5,000 life insurance policy and was inspected--a pretty good sign that I am long gone. Our first transfer will doubtless be to Hampton Roads, and I feel sure it will be Tuesday--of course, we never know.
Tell everybody hello. Tell them also that if they wish to enjoy life they had better join the U. S. navy. It is great!
With best regards to all.
C. R. Kite,
Lds. MM Co. 35.
NOTES: Clarence R. Kite was born on July 10, 1896 and died on July 11, 1952. He is buried in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Brinkley, Arkansas. He was a mechanic in the military.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS