Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-18
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS What Eastern Gonneeticut Boye Are Doing In Various Branches of the Service.
His Third Trip Across.

Gordon N. Reed, U. $. s. Montana, has written the following letter to his parents, Mir and Mrs W. T. l.. Reed, of Norwich, R. F. D. No. 5:
 U. s. Ship Montana.
 February, 1918. Dear Dad and Ma:
 We are about starting off on our third trip across the ocean for parts unknown-a dangerous trip; more so than the other twoi don't forget to pray for me.
 Since I wrote you last we have been moving about some, believe me. When we get orders, we move quick If you are going to be a sailor it's better to be a good one and keep on the move. Well, Dad, you would like to know what port we are in, and I will tell you. It's a good old port and is fla miliar to you, I know. The people here are good to the sailors-some of them too good.
 am feeling fine and am also en- toying myself Been here about a week. It will be some time before ] can write again. Had a good trip down here. If anything of real inn portance, I will be sure to let you know
 Your loving son. GORDON M. REED.
 To an aunt the young sailor has written the following letter: (SomeWhere)
 p. $. Ship Montana. February, 1918. Dear Aunt Clara:
 I received your letter and was cer- ] tainly glad to get it. I was beginning | to think maybe my letters were not reaching you.
 As you probably know, I have beer on two trips across the ocean, bu without landing. We went to within l 200 miles of the war zone, met tht destroyers that were to escort oul transports the rest of the way. There were five of them. It was a fine sigh to see them coming up out of thu horizon. It was disappointing not tt go on to France, but all we could dC was to turn back, much to our dis gust.
 Our second trip was the worst ye for stormy weather. Would you be lieve it, for twenty days we hardl! saw the sun, and the worst weathei we have had for our ship to ron sometimes standing at an angle of 7 degrees and rolling so that everythin; | slid from side to side. Tons of Watel came into the ship and we had som' job before Us to clean up. On oul first trip returning we had a big stor11 and one of our yeomen was washed overheard and drowned. It was hart but we did all we could to save him It was very cold and his clothing hin dered him and he sank.
 Many of the crew on our first tril often found their stomachs not jus as they left them. and believe m when man is seasick he don't car 1 whether he sinks or swirns. lives O. dies. However. the second trip out got a little steadier and after a da. or two secured my sea legs and wa ready for action.
 Last night the sea came in the gun ports and the rain came down tn hatch and sprayed all over me aH4 believe me these are the times whel you feel like being back on good olt farm soil like what we have in Nortl Stonington.
 One poor seaman slept on the desl Cor fioor) and when all that wate came in his clothes went floating of and in the morning he couldn't fin, his shoes. A good many times won dered what the end would be. we nnigh have a bath in old ocean, but every l thing came out all right.
 The sun has shone a little toda. l and we have had chance to air ou