Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-10-24
Private %Sward HalvOrson Likes
Army LIE. and Glad he is Able
tt%/No His Bit.
THINKS IOWA 30.
WILL WIN GOOD NAME,
Gard or Letter From Home Helps to
Make the Soldiers Happy and
COntented.
Camp Mills, Long Island.
Oct 10 1917
Dear Friends:

Oct. 13, 1917.
Dear Friends:
Everyone here are we'll and happy
as can be expected. But between The
dust, fog, and cold sea breeze we
can't be expected to be very happy.
AS l sit here 1 can hear the constant
hum of aerial scouts and the distant
rumble of coast artillery and the fleet
in the bay at target practice. 1t all re-
minds us, that we are constantly
training and striving to some day
throw a superior army into the old
war torn fields of Europe. But as
these husky young Americans listen
to all OF this hum, daily study aid
train farther into the secrets of su-
premacy they are happy, and as the
winding columns come creeping into
camp from long, weary hike, one
can hear the ring of thousands OF
voices as they sing Goodbye Broad
way, Over There, or Where do we go
from Here" Goodbye Broadway is
the regimental march song of the
16Sth, while Where do We go From
Here Boys has taken the place OF
Tipperary in the British army. Every
night you can hear the various vol
ces sing all over camp from dark un-
til taps, all singing these songs or
some old memory from home. A sol
dier is about as happy as anyone in
America, ard the more they get him
the more he sings. Our jackie broth
ers are not blue bunch, by any
means. In spite of their uniforms and
surroundings, they spend lot OF
their shore leave with us. They well
come us aboard their ships and we
welcome them to our camps. 1t is
very common sight to see a group of
sailors and soldiers together on the
street Well after many nights vigil
trying to keep warm we have been
issued heavy underwear. 1t certain
ly is welcome. We also have been is
are nearly all equipped now. We are
a long ways from home and living
under less comfortable conditions
than we are used to, so by receiving
new clothes and occasionally card
or letter from the dear ones help to
make more contented soldiers, and a
mob of contented soldiers go to make
up an efficient army OF men eager to
learn to defend the dear land We call
our home. Well many are of the i'm
preston that we are to leave here
soon. We have no idea when we are
to leave. We may leave tomorrow, or
we may stay week. l am poor
prophet and make no premises. Here
is hoping that we will never see ac-
tion and all may come home well aid
sound, but If it need be, we are in 1t
to the last spark of life.
Well folks l am getting along fne
and outside of getting little blue
once in a while, am enjoying my
self great, and / sure am glad / am
doing my bit. There is one thing
though that is worrying me, and that
is, | am getting so fat | can hardly
see out of my eyes, when / smile Ii
/ keep on gaining / don't know what
/ will be when / get back. Well this
regiment is doing wonders. Men, who
a few weeks ago carried a rifle like a
shot gun across plowed field, today
march with heads erect like well
trained soldiers. And in this regi-
ment dear old Iowa is going to win
name among the commanders OF
the worlds armies. for we have the
will and courage, as well as strength
and are undergoing unusually hard
training and discipline. Now please
write as soon as you can, for there
Ia no telling how long we Will De
here. If we go across woa't be
able to write, only just once in
while, and then they will all have TO
be censored, so please write while
YOU can. Hoping all is well as usual
in Decorah, / remain,
Private Edward Halyorson,
Co. e 16S U. S. Inf. "a Brig.
AZ Div. A. r. f. Camp Mills
Long Island. New York