The Coconino sun., 1918-12-27
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 ITEMS OF INTEREST ABOUT OUR BOYS OVER HERE AND "OVER THERE"
DADS VICTORY LETTER
 TO WALTER DURHAM

lU VALIEN DURHAM
 w. w. Durham was pleased Dad" when he received the following Fathers Victory Letter" from his son Clarence, now in France:
 Is-ur-Tille, France,
 November 24th. Dear Dad:
 Sometime ago was Mothers Day, and every soldier wrote home to his mother. Today has been set aside for Fathers Xmas Victory Letter." so here goes. Since peace is so near at hand the censorship regulations have become more lenient and I can now tell you something of my wherea- bouts and of my activities. We are now in camp at Is-ur-Fille, which you will find on the map near Dijon.
 We'll, may as well start at the be- ginning. We sailed from Hoboken, N. J., on April Eth about 500 D. m. Our ship was the "Agamemmon," for merly German vessel which had been seized by the U. S. A. and turn ed to transport service. At that time it was said to be the second largest afloat. It's German name was Kaiser Wilhelm II. We slipped out of the harbor about dark accompanied by the "Amerika" and the Great Northern, two other transports, loaded to the limit with the messengers of democ- racy. We were all ordered below and failed to get farewell look at the Statue of Liberty. Morning found us far out in the Atlantic. Every one was on the lookout fou U-boats Box es, barrels, floating spars, birds, sea- weed and any visible object was inn mediately turned in to gun crews, who lost no time finding the exact status of the object in question.
 We'll, to be brief, We saw no subs, and had a very nice trip. One night the sea was very rough and tore up one life-boat and hatchway. There were 5000 of us on board. On the morning of April 18th, exactly seven days after our departure from New York, we sighted the coast of France. This body of water off the French coast was the most dangerous yet en- countered as far as subs were con cerned, but we felt as safe as if we were at home. Why? Because 4S hours before, we had seen coming from several different points some quick, zebra-striped objects followed by long lines of smoke, which soon proved to be American destroyers. These little boats reminded me of very busy bird-dog with the speed of a greyhound and the disposition of bulldog. They darted back and forth in front of us, to our port and starboard sides and in our wake.
 Occasionally one would sight an object way over the horizon, and lay ing down a thick smoke screen would go forward at full speed to question the character of the stranger. With these able escorts we sailed into Brest harbor at 100 o'clock, April 18th. Having disembarked we marched to an old French barracks built by Ma poleon and used by him as prison camp. Since that time we have been businly engaged in the duties requir- ed of engineers, which are neither light nor few.
 Today I returned from my seven 0dy leave III HTtnODle, TTdHCeJ WHicu is only 9. short distance from Nice, and the famous Monte Carlo. >Gern- oble is located in the Alps mountains on the river Isere, and has some of the most scenic surroundings in Europe. Mt. Blanc is very near to this city and can be photographed on any clear day. Each of the seven days was full of interesting trips. Gren- oble has one of the finest museums in France and also a wonderful art col lection.
 Visiting the fishery, I found that the hatcheries were filled with our mountain trout. Our fish thrive in the cold Alpine streams where the French fish have become almost ex- tinct. Funny, isn't it? Even our fish are the kind that "stick."
 Also visited the city of Lyon which ! is the second or third city of France. Went through wonderful art gallery at this place. Well, dad, l could write many pages on the beauties of France. It is wonderful country, and wonderful people. There is only one place in which had rather i've and that is Anyplace in the U. S. A. Must close for today with lots of 1 love to yourself and to mother.
 ApENrE