The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-10-10

We are up at SIS, breakfast at s,
then the ward nurses get breakfast
from the kitchens for the patients.
Each ward has one master and three
helpers. Drill from $3.50 until 10, then
back for duty in the wards until IL,
when dinner is served TO the pa
tients. We get our mess at 1880 and
the office help and seFgeants at IL.
At o'clock we have litter drill
until 8, then school" until 4. School
we are taught how to put on band
ages and learn about the different
kinds of medicines.
This is about all can tell you ex-
cept that all enjoy army life and are
dead willing" to do their work at
the front. The report is that-we will
leave this post in about two weeks
for Palo Alto, CAL, where we ex-
pect to stay until spring and then go
to the front. ..
The Y. NJ. c. A. is doing great
work here, furnishing all sorts of
amusement for the men. There are
free picture shows and lectures. We
have basket ball and baseball teams;
and play volley ball, which is great
sport. The gymnasium is open all
the time. The Y. M. c. A. furnishes
free all the writing and reading ma
terial we can use.
This is all for this time from
soldier boy.
Private Edmundson Anderson,
Post Hospital,
Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming.
AL G.. Westerdahl, who with Carl
Storberg put over the hits" of the
season at Wickstrom's dancing pavil-
ion on Lake Sally, and who Joined
the United States navy about six
weeks ago to see the world, has
written to a friend from Camp Paul
Jones. Great Lakes Naval Training
station.
Mr.. Westerdahl has the reputation
of always kicking up some excite
ment, no matter what the occasion.
His letter carries the same punch.
He declares to his friend that this
is the best thing that ever happened
to me. wouldn't leave for anything,
and the experience will be wonder
full. / don't complain about anything
and take 1t all with a smile. Can't
help but laugh when l think Of the
change in myself. AL says he ex-
pected to have long hair by this time,
but that the first hair clip is COM
pulsory and because it's free person
cannot say much.
We'll. we moved this morning,
Sept. 5. and landed in one of the m1st
beautiful mud holes in the country,
writes Mr.. Westerdahl. Packed all
our belongings. including our mat
tress, and made mile and quarter
hike with a pack on our back weigh
ing about so pounds. 1t rained all
the way; also all during the meal
hour it rained. Imagine us eating
under a tree that didn't have any
foliage on. But we were so hungry
that 1t takes a lot more than rain to
dampen our appetites. You know
little rain on ones plate, just adds
that much more to the thick soup.
II sleep like a log, usually asleep
long before o'clock and wake up
before o'clock. If you see me now
you would think was a part of Jim
KennedSs gang. Have to run around
all day In rubber boots and am a
perfect picture. At that the outlook
from around here is fine, probably
from the outside. On one side we
have the large Lake Michigan and
on all other sides we have eight foot
barbed wire fences.
"Really we don't know how long
we will be here, probably a couple of
weeks and then we will walk a few
more miles like a pack mule. VIII
no doubt sleep in tents until the
snow flies, but so far, have managed
to keep warm. Usually sleep with
my sweater on. Just wrote home re-
questing that a box OF lunch be sent
me. I'm hungry an hour after meals
and a little lunch before bedtime
would be just paradise. Also told
mother to knit me some heavy socks.
We received some light wool ones
with our outfit, but / have shoes
which have plenty of accommoda-
tions.
Want to thank you for the candy
sent me. 1t was just great. Choco-
late always was my steady favorite'.
Will always appreciate what is sent
me after being a jackie and learning
what life really means and what
pleasures are at home. Mail is al
ways welcome Getting home sick
hasn't hit me. but often my thoughts
go back home and of the friends /
have left behind, but no doubt some
day we will all be back and then for
the good old times in Fargo town.
Have only run into a couple Of Fargo
lads so far. / guess the bunch is
over at the main camp.
"Al Westerdahl,
Great Lakes Training Station.
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