Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-05-30
SAILOR BOY WRITES HOME.
HERBERT MACKENSTAD, OF
WAGNER, s. ID. WRITES
DEBORAH RELA-
TIVES.
Is Stationed at Great Lakes, Illinois
Naval Station.


and Mrs. Fred Mackenstad, of Wag-
ner, S. D. former Decorahians, is
now one of Uncle Sans sailor boys
stationed at Great Lakes, Illinois.
The following letters, which we have
been permitted to publish were re-
Gently written to his parents and Mr..
and Mrs. Clint Bolger, of DEBORAH:
Great Lakes, H.
May II, 1917.
Dearest Mother and Father:
I just received your letter which
waited so long for. 1t seemed as
though | was out OF luck for good.
wrote every day and then waited
until today before getting any let
ters at ALL / got three today. When
you get through with the Wagner
papers / wish you would send one.
We have lots of reading, but all Chi
cago papers and they are just full OF
war. Yesterday we had sham bat
| tie, and believe me it was some re-
minder, cannon, guns and men fall
| ing, and the hospital corps picking
Iup men and dressing imaginary
wounds. About 5000 men were on
parade. Four moving picture ma
chimes were taking pictures OF us
Today is athletic day and we think
we will be called to get our uni
| forms. We sure need them. Day be-
fore yesterday we received a shot in
| the arm, an incubation for typhoid
We get three doses, makes man
sick and stiff. My vaccination didn't
work at all and my appetite is fine.
Haven't felt healthier in three
years. This morning We done the
washing act-hats, underwear,
socks, handkerchiefs and towels.
Well l must go to the field of pleas
ure now. Love to all.
May "A, 1917.
Dear Aunt and Uncle:
Well folks hello! l am alive and
think l am settled for the time be-
| ing. l received a letter from Aunt
Rush the other day. She talked of
taking Grandma to Wagner. She
also mentioned about Frank Christen
and some other fellows going to Fort
jefferson. They may like army life
best, but l will take the navy. So
far | have enjoyed myself fine, eX-
cept for three days of rainy wealth
water runs in, so we were in pond.
| Cold and no place to go for warm
ing up Now its fine again. We are
up at five bells by the bugle and
clean up our tents, take shower
bath, and if we have any dirty
Clothes we have to wash them. Then
we march into dining hall that
holds about 5000, and eat. At S:15
we fall in line for muster and proba-
bly, some drill. 11:40 we line up
for dinner. After dinner We usually
drill some more. On Wednesdays
we have parade review and sham
battle 1t is visitors day. On Thurs
days in afternoons we have athletic
day, boxing and all sports. Sunday,
| in the morning, is church and visitors
day. Thousands of people come out
here. Wednesdays and Sunday
nights free picture show outside. II
we have uniforms we can get permits
sion of leave on Saturday over Sun
day. intend waiting and getting five
or eight days leave in about a
month. Then / can go to Minnesota
and see Earl. Will probably come
through DEBORAH for a day. This
morning we had parade review and
are waiting for tent inspection. Be-
lieve me we have to keep things
meat. If fellow falls in line with
dirty suit on he sure gets "bal.ed'
out. They are organizing teams in
base ball, basket ball, track, etc.,
land | intend getting in on some OF
lit. | expect our company Will De
here at least four months. lhey
have shipped several companies out
lately, but mostly seamen, tiremen
land some musicians. l would like
to be on some battle ship and see
little of the outside word. wen,
write any time you can and | will do
the same. We have lots of time to
write here. With regards AID love to
all.