Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-05-01
Somewhere in France,

is, wen L am gong TO Try ana tell
you. 1t is post in a trench that
runs out into No Mans Land, ar
on this outpost you can see all
there is to see, and sometimes we
could hear the Huns talking. Be-
lieve me we did not talk much at
night. All we would do was to try
to see in the day and at night try
to hear. 1t is hard to see at night,
for the wire is in front of us, so
all we can do is to try and hear
them if they start to come over
Sometimes they come over and we
do the same. You should see No
a Fourth of July night in the United
States. Lights going up all the
time. We did not send up many
lights on the outpost l was on for
we did not like them to know where
We were. When they sent up
lights we could get as much good
out of them as they would. Be-
lieve me it's a great place and we
are going to have it as long as we
are over in France. for the French
say we sure are all good men and
and we sure make the Boches sit
up and look. There was not much
doing on this front, but after we
were here a few days believe me
there was something doing, and will
stay that way for sometime it looks.
Well, at that, they have nothing on
us. We can go out into No Mans
Land and come back and some of
the boys have been over in the
Boches trenches and come back all
TO- X. In just a little time there
will not be such place as No
Mans Land, for we are going to
have it, 1t sure lis a great game
to go into No Mans Land ut night,
for there is nothing but wire and
it takes a good one to get by. Well
| suppose DEBORAH is just the same
old place and nothing much going
on. Well when the boys get back
they are all going to make up for
lost time. And l believe the day
is coming soon when We can come
back Say that sure will be some
big day when the boys all come
home from somewhere in France.
home in France. We never have
it over six days at time. Home
is wherever we are, and wherever
we are is home. Well l will have
to close for this time, with love
and regards to all,
Your son,
LAWRENCE RIGGS.
Somewhere in France
March 80, 1918.
Dear Father:
Received your letters this a. m
and was very glad to hear that you
are all well, and can say the same
for myself No doubt you are al
anxious to know what I am doing
Would write and tell you If | were
lallowed to do so. But suffice TO say
am well. l read of Gilbert Arness
death in the paper, as l have peer
getting the Public Opinion, also
saw article of Sigurd Tolstead':
death. l have not met any of the
boys over here, but perhaps l may
see some of them sometime. Il
you want to send me something
why send me tobacco, as that is al
ways welcome over here. WoulC
like very much to see you folks
lagain, but until the task which We
lhave at hand is finished there viii
be no returning. We all realiz'
what is before us, but we shall no
shirk from it until we have reached
our goal, for it is in the cause o
humanity. Wish you would thanl
those who are sending the paper Il
me and tell them that l appreciate
lit very much. VIII try to write
oftener to you folks from now on.
Your loving son,
ROY VOLDING.
Bait. b. 81 Arty. c. "A. c
Somewhere in France
March 20, 1918.
Dear Sister Hannah:
| received your welcome letter
few days ago and see you are al
we'll and glad | can say the same
1t is raining here today. | am still
cooking for the school. l say
Anton Bernatz the other day.
also saw Ed Lewis, Clifford NARROW
Ed Holverson, and the Blaess boy
all of DEBORAH. That is about all
have seen since / got over here
Last Sunday was down tow