La Junta tribune., 1917-12-27
WITH UNCLE SAM AS A FLYER
Hal Hendrix Writes OF Trials and
Experscaccs In Qualifying as =
Full F1cdgcd Aviator


as a popular clerk in the employ OF
the Simons Clothing Company in
1916. writes an unusually interest
Ing and entertaining letter descrip-
tive OF his experiences in qualifying
rs q fuIl-fledged aviator In the SER
Ace OF Uncle Sam. Readers OF the
\ peat family journal will find u
sheat fund OF Information in the
'sepistle concerning the wonderful de-
velopment Of the aviation section OF
Uncle Sans army which II is said
Is to be the greatest factor In the
campaign OF next spring in bringing
about speedy termination of the
world war. Mr.. Hendrix first epis-
tie to the La Juntaites. which We
hope r. the first of a series. is as
follows:
Signal Corps Aviation School. Will
bur Wright Field. Fairfield. Ohio.
December 1s, 1917
My dear Mr.. Mason: Many times
in the past months I have had the
extreme pleasure of reading very In
teresting letters published in your
paper from the La Junta boys in
the service, and I am proud to know
that so many OF them have shown
themselves to be OF the red blooded
stripe that felt the need OF our coun-
try in this great war. Many Of my
personal friends note have respond
ed to the call. and in as much as
l have spent several pleasant months
IN La Junta. | consider myself more
or less La Junta boy. and write to
you at this time because feel that
many OF my friends that still remain
would be glad to know of my many
experiences since my entrance into
the service.
II seems a long time since those
early days Of spring when the decla-
ration OF war caused countless num-
bers of young men like .mysslf Sts
abandon their peaceful pursuits and
get into the uniform. hoping to do
their bit towards bringing a speedy
end to this awful struggle for De
mocracy. It il needless to say that
many have been my experiences.
A soldiers life became one OF many
sacrifices In those first days. when
Uncle Sam seemed 80 little prepared
to receive and properly provide for
the Thousands OF men that were
hsstening into the service. Especially
was this 30 In the aviation branch
OF the service where there was prac-
ticaliy NO provision for the scsse Of
enlargement that took place imme-
diatcly aeter our entrance into the
war. At that time the Army only
had three Areo Squadrons. and this
number has been increased TO that
at the preseat time there are over
two hundred squadrons consisting Of
lst enlisted men each. and the con.
csntratsd trimming In this branch Of
the service has bsen speeded up to
such An extent that already about
one hundred Of these sQuadrons are
In foreign service. The great prep.
aratior program that has been car
ried ON by our government since
our entrance into the fray Ia little
realised outside Of the army circles.
We are In this war TO win. and win
We WILL" seems to be the by-word
Of The boys In the aviation section.
And ws must not forget that this
10 Q time when all the allies look
70 the last great flag to swing the
balance Of power that will win the
war. and this perhaps with the use
q the air machine.
The preparations 30 on silently.
., but with the scope that only Amer
ics can master. and when the first
apripg drive for victory Ia made we
ean ~ that the sane vaior and
Dersistsncs that has % marked Amer
leans in other wars that we have
known will distinguish once again
the stuff" from which the goth
century American II made.
Most all Of the enlisted msn In
this branch of the service enlisted
with the hope and intention that
sooner or later they would become
flyers. But this II route that 10
long and toiisome. Travelled some.
times with difficulty. and again With
many amusing events. When ! en-
tered the service was sent to Kelly
Field. San Antonio. Texas. and as
signed 10 the I'd Aero Squadron. one
Of the originals that existed before
ths war. This field which since that
tins has become one Of the largssf
aviaaioa training schools In the
seates, vas then but broad sxpanss.
II thoee first days aero sausdrons
veeo. bolag nade with great sDssd.