The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-04-27

Mr.. g. w. Deem has received the
following interesting letter from
Capt. H. D. Mendenhall. who is in
France, which he kindly offered the
Telegram for publication as he knew
it would be of much interest to Capt.
Mendenhalls many Lakeland friends
U. S. Military Postoffice No. 7O5,
-, France, March %. 1918.
Mr.. c. w. Deem, Lakeland, Fla.
Dear Mr.. Deen-Your very welcome
letter came to hand couple of days
|ago-only 4S days en- route! It con-
tanned lot Of nice newsy home news
such as we like to get over here. Lit
tie apparently unimportant items to
you who are living amongst them be-
come magnifed to great proportions
by the time they get to US SO far as
their human interest goes.
1t is interesting to hear that Grady
ie also in the army. Do not be dis
ccuraged because he is not a flyer,
for his function is equally as impor-
tant if not so spectacular. The avia-
tors over here are doing wondere
now. Just now the great German
push is going on, and in it the air
men are playing the all-important
part. They are wonderful fellows.
The service seem to attract fine lot
OF young men and they are the Won
der and admiration of everyone when
they come in from the front Especi-
ally is this true Of the French avia-
ton officers. They are all snappy
looking with their black uniforms
and gold braid, and their quick Wig
crous movements, clear eyes, bright
lrtelligent, clean-cut faces, and dare.
Gcvll bearing, makes them the center
OF attraction on all occasions. And
what adds to the halo is the fact that
they have faced the enemy and won
those that we see! Our men are of
the same class as the French avia-
tors, but they have not had the
chance to try issues with the enemy
as yet. But everybody has implicit
in what they will do when
The time arrives.
Just now our every spare moment
IS conferred on the moves at the front.
VI course you hear the dispatches
about as quickly as we do, but it is a
little more real to us. We get the
dispatches four times per day morn
ng, noon, three o'clock and five
o'clock. And we keep the gains or
osses. traced out on the maps and
speculate on what will happen next.
The British are making wonderful
assistance, and at the present writing !
he French and Americans are COM
ng up with great achievements.
Aong before this reaches you the fight
VIII have been decided, and everyone
eels that it will practically end the I
var, if the Germans fail. And fail
hey must. AS the Frenchmen say, h
lis ne passeront pas They shall
lot pass"
AT present Mrs. Mendenhall is un- |!
Ter fire in Paris where the great 1870 y
im. Austrian gun Is continually
'ombarding, and the Gothas continu-
lily bombing. She says that now no
me ever thinks to even stop and look.
naturally worry about her, but she
Gems to enjoy it all SO much for
he 'Sunmerlin blood She is work {
ne very hard among the soldiers and
Gems to be getting results. Our boys
re fine lot to work among, and she
nds it wonderfully interesting. Our
'omen are doing great work in the
:. M. c. A. and Red Cross. ,
shall be very glad to hear from \
on again, and if Grady comes over.
i've him my military address and ,
ave him look me up. am not hard +.
find at present. And please give
~ regards to my old friends when
on see them
Very sincerely,
CAPT. II. D. MENDENHAIL.