The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1918-02-08
FROM A BIRD MAN.

letter Just received by F. v. Covert from
J. L. Tall, formerly salesman with
Mr.. Covert, who is now serving with
the 10th Aero Squadron, stationed at
Mount Clemens, Michigan:
AS you know, l enlisted at Seattle
and was sent from there to Kelly Field
near San Antonio, Texas. There were
80 of us in the bunch, and We had a
very fine trip down south, but saw all
l want to see of Texas. l suffered as
much from the cold in the sunny
south" as I ever did in the cold and
frozen north, and then we had the dust
storms to contend with, so when the
orders came for the transfer of the
10th Squadron to Michigan, I was not
at all sorry.
Our camp here Is located about three
miles from Mount Clemens ON the
shore of Lake st. Clair. We have nice,
steam heated barracks to live in and a
mess hall for every $50 men, so we
are very comfortable.
Many people have the idea that the
Aero Squadron consists of nothing but
air men, but that Is mistaken idea,
for it takes a large army of men to
keep the planes in running order and
to bring up supplies. There are three
distinct divisions to the service besides
the airmen. The service squadron
which works in the field and is first
aid to the planes. The construction
squadron works in the rear and con-
structs and repairs such parts as the
service squadron cannot do. Then the
supply squadron keeps the supplies
moving. l am in a service squadron,
and we are up here in order to allow
the men to go to school. Each man Is
given few weeks schooling in what
ever trade, or profession, he is in. In
the trade test at Kelly Field l was
given the place of mess sergeant, but
they were very short of photographers
so applied for place in this service
and am to be given a chance. There is
no school for photographers here so
think l will be sent to Rochester, N.
Y. have some doubts as to whether l
will be able to qualify, for am only
an amateur, but am going to put in
some hard work at school and try my
best to pass exam. This is one of the
qualify it will be my duty to photo
graph enemy positions, and act as OBJ
server from up in the planes. Or if l
cannot qualify as an airman l will
probably be placed in the developing
room.
We are only 25 miles from Detroit
and as last Sunday was our first Sun
day out of quarantine had planned on
going to the city to take in the sights,
but in this, was disappointed, for
Saturday afternoon they called me out
for one of the sentinels, and I had to
stand guard from p. m. Saturday un-
til p. m. Sunday. Had a real swell
time. but that is what we must expect
in the army. Perhaps next Sunday
will have better luck if am still here.
You will notice that I write on Y.
M. c. A. stationery. This is furnished
us free by the Y. M. C. A. They are
surely doing great work IN the army
camps. We have nice big hall here
where the soldiers can go to read,
write or find entertainment. They have
a movie nearly every night and during
these cold days they serve hot cocoa to
the boys. l never really appreciated the
organization quite SO much as l do.
now. The Red Cross is another society
Of which l cannot speak too highly. It
has been big undertaking for the
government to clothe the men as fast
as they have been coming in, conse-
quently a good many poor fellows
would have been with insufficient
clothing If the Red Cross had not so
literally given of sweathers, scarfs,
etc. We at this field at least have been
outfitted and are very comfortable, not
withstanding the extreme cold. On
Christmas our squad was in quaran.
tine. so the Red Cross sent us out d
tree and decorations, also candy, nuts.
fruit and Christmas package for each
one Of us. Some of the folks from
Mount Clemens came out and sang for
us outside of the barracks.
l have been very we'll except for
some throat trouble and have become
much heavier since I started on my
army career am tickled to think that
l Joined this branch of the service and
am confident that will get to see for
eign service before many weeks have
passed.