The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1918-05-03
FROM OUR
LADS over THERE

! LHU0 Uv[n InCnC
| AS head of the committee sending
tobacco to our boys in France. Mrs.
| A. A. Foss has received the following
intensely interesting letter from Roy
Zerba, the first the Press has had the
pleasure Of printing from him:
In France, April 3, 1918.
To my Athena Friends, and the dear
Stenographer:
just received the package of tobacco
you alllsent and thank you thou.
sand times. Would love to give you
all little war news, but l presume
you are hearing more about the Eur
opean situition than am. Have been
over some time now. however. the
time passes by quickly as we are busy
from morning until dark, and some
times late at night. Have finished my
schooling in the Aeroplane factory
some time ago, and it will not be long
until I'll be jake on all types of ma
chine guns. Have given up the idea
of mastering French, as my tongue is
too long and | haven't the time to
studysit; but nevertheless, am getting
SO that | can carry on "a conversation
with French Mile. while keeping my
hands in my pockets, and that is some
consolation.
go to the city about once week,
and every uniform in the world is rep
resented in the streets and it sure is
interesting to talk to the men who
have been through some of the hell.
That it is not war, but scientific mur-
der. seems to be the concensus of
opinion.
The only home we have over here is
the dear old Y. M. C. A, and the work
they are doing is simply wonderful and
should be given all the support in the
States, as it means so much to us over
here.
We are having beautiful spring wea-
ther now but will be glad when sum-
mer drifts around. which commences
in July. Am seeing some of the scenes
that studied about in history, only
would have loved to have seen this
country before the war. However,
this is beautiful country, but we are
just too busy to study and get close to |
mother nature.
These planes are dreadnaughts, COM
pared with the ones we trained on in
the States. The French and English |
have some speedy machines but, by |
heck. here's three cheers for the Lib
erty Motor Am motorman or chief |
mechanic on one of these battle planes,
and my duty is to keep motor-"old |
faithful Betsy" call her-tuned up |
at all times. The only thing that |
worries US mechanics is, will we ever
get chance to fetch down a German
acep However. we are looking for
ward for our chance. The air forces
are sure doing wonderful work, and
the boys in the trenches are not
asleep. by heck You have already, no
doubt, read of the greatest battle of
the war. Believe me, our boys in the
trenches are all heroes. Was talking
to French General yesterday and he
said that it was almost impossible 10
keep the Western boys from going
over the top. He said they would
shoot until they got tired, then those
Western dare-devils would kneel down
and play poker awhile. Thev laugh
and joke most all the time, but when
they go over the top, they always sing
this hymn: "Abide With Me-" War
is exactly what Sherman called it, but
nevertheless, this is great life, if
you don't weaken.
When this bloody war is over and us
guys from a score of lands return again
to the quiet of our homes and the peace
Of our firesides, we will all carry from
days of carnage and destruction two
grateful remembrances, symbolized by
graphic characters. One is the Red
Cross, seen on scores of battle fields
where men lie wounded, dying-and
lead, telling story of unselfish SER
vice that even Mars could not over
come. The other is the Red Triangle,
The symbol of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association. reaching wherever
soldier boys are in need of help; with
nuts and buildings at the very battle
front. with ministry of service to
tens Of thousands of men.
We are treated good, over here, and
everybody is happy and there is but
'ne thought in all of our minds. and
that is, to conquer old Bill if it takes
forever. By the way-if | ever get
4 chance at him, will bring back to
'ome of my friends some good coyote
oait-and old Bill is in good shape.
Best regards to all my friends.
Very respectfully yours,
Roy Lee lerba,
10th Aero Squadron. via New York,
A. E. F.
FLOYD s'H0t on Kaiser's Trail"
Floyd Corporan, also received his
mokes. and writing to the Press under
late of April 4th. saws.