The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1918-08-08
LETTER FROM /.
SERCT. LEW WILEY
Kellv Field TEXAS J11v 70 1919

Kelly Field, Texas, July 80, 1918
Mr.. Trubshaw, Valley City:
Dear Friend: Roy Weston and
take this means of writing to our
friends at home as we know our old
friend The Times-Record reaches the
most of them. We are the only two
that are left in one organization in
Kelly Field and very few of the VAL
ley boys are in this camp now as most
of them have been lucky enough to
be transferred out but as you see we
were not so lucky and feel very much
disappointed over it but if Uncle Sam
sees that he can use us here to bet
ter advantage than he can cover
there" we are willing to stay, even if
it does hurt little as we did want
to 60 just as bad as any of the boys.
Our squadron (Which is now Squadron
F'') has been made permanent
squadron to this field and no doubt
will stay here until late this fall but
we live in hopes of getting out then.
We have one of the best camps but
the climate is a little too hot for a
northern man and the sand storms
come altogether too often to suit us
and when they do come they come in
a hurry. ..-.-, az
l remember when we used to pay
, soc and sit around the fair grounds
all day to get chance to see an air.
plane fly around circle a few times
but am afraid now that it wouldn't
interest US so much being that we
have been up in them ourselves and
going through with some of the
stunts they do at this field. Yester-.
terday. l took my first ride and was
up for one hour which is some longer
than usually is allowed to fellow
on his first trip. Another thing they
very seldom do any stunts with a new
beginner but for some reason or other
I got the first degree in real good
shape as I went through most of the
stunts on the trip. Stunts such as
loop the loop, tail spin, nose dive and
what is called a zoom. It was a great
experience and wouldn't have missed
it for the world but will say if any
of the people at Valley ever take a
ride in ship of that kind they had
better pin down their stomach before
starting as from my experience it will
help, as about the time you come down
face first for about one thousand feet
your stomach is going to try and
jump out Of place. As for your heart
you have no track of it at all as it
stops or you lose it altogether,
couldn't tell which. We started doing
stunts at about 5000 feet from the
ground when we stopped we were
about 500 feet up so a drop of that
distance isn't the most pleasant thing
when your not used to it. l was very
lucky not to get sick but will say that
I had a sick feeling several different
times. Nevertheless it was an ex-
citing ride and will take it again when
my time comes. Roy: Weston gets his
chance today and do hope he gets his
first as did mine so l can have a
laugh on him. Roy has been made a
corporal and is still in the office end
of the squadron while am hanger
inspector and inspect the ships of our
squadron after the work. is done on
them each day. The work is very in
:eresting and like it very much and
have chances for promotion which l
think the Valley boys are getting
their share Of.
We find that San Antonio is poor
town for a soldier so for that reason
we stay in camp most of the time as
the Y. NJ. C. A. has their huts here
and they have movies and at different
times have vaudeville acts from our
entertainment squadron and plenty of
books to read and they also furnish
us with writing paper and pen and
ink so it is some like a home to the
boys. Any one making little dona-
tons will never misplace them if. they
give them to the Y. M. C. A. as they
afford great comfort to the boys in
khaki.
In reading the Times Record we
find some very interesting. letters
from some of the Valley boys that are
now in uniform so for that reason
we thought that some of the folks at
home would like to hear from us so
we took the time and wrote this letter
and if it suits we will try it again
some other time. 'Spose the old town
is pretty quiet seeing that so many
of the boys have gone but do hope we
will all meet again and have grand
reunion at Valley City. The boys
have the Germans on the run now and
we all hope that they keep them rum
ming until the victory is ours.
Will close for this time and do hope
that the people of Valley City are as
good natured as ever. ~
remain your friend,
49, -Sergt. Lou Wylie.
Our address is Squadron IF" Kelly