Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1919-02-19
DICK OLSON IN
THE PHILIPPINES
DEBORAH Boy, Son of Mrs. f. h.
Olson, i'm Army Service in
Manila, p. /. Writes Inter-
esting Letter
SAYS 1T is 80
IN THE SHADE
Asked How We Were Enjoying Our
40 Below Zero Weather Back
Here

Dearest Mother anu All:
First thing I want to say is many
thanks for the money. / just now
came from the postoffice and also
got two letters you sent to me adj
dressed 10th Co., so guess I am get
ting all your mail o. X. and hope
you are getting mine I also got
Ada's letter and Thanksgiving card
from Berry, so if / get that many
letters every time I won't say word.
Say mother you will have to excuse
me for not sending you birthday
present, but I always thought your
birthday was in December, and over
here you don't know whether it is
December or July, as it's the same
all year around. Am writing this let
ter in my undershirt and bet it's 80
in the shade now, while its 40 be-
low for mine. Ha! Ha! This will be
my second Christmas / spent away
from home. You know the last one
/ was at Storm Lake. But l hope its
the last one l spend from home and
they say the third one never fails,
so I'll be there next one. | bet there
was some excitement there when the
news came the war was over. l have
hopes of getting out of here soon,
and if regular soldiers come on this
transport due here the 2Sth some OF
us will be able to leave, and l hear
that men with allotments will go
first, so that means me too. 1t won't
be so very long because they won't
hold us any more than they have to,
and as far as a job is concerned :!
know | can get one when | get back,
as l can work at either radio wire
less or telegraphy. l sure have learn
ed lots and lots of things over here
and III keep all of you up all night
telling of my experience in the
army. Say mother what color silk
do you like and how many yards
does it take to make waist. Don't
forget to tell me in next letter as
when / go by Japan l am going to
buy some. And say Esther and Olga
I am going to get your Christmas
present there too. I have already
sent some with my picture and be
sure and tell me if you get them o.
X. Have bought Bernetta, Berry and
Bernard some things, but don't
know whether to mail them or not
and see how soon l will leave here,
but you have got 'em coming and
don't think / have forgotten any OF
you.
Our 9Th Co. broke on account Of
shortage in men, SO l am in the Sd
now, so hope it isn't long now be-
fore this company will split and ship
Us back. Be sure and write, soon.
Don't worry as l am feeling fine.
There is no influenza over here, so
don't worry.
Lots of love,
DICK.
Fort Mills, P. l., Manila Bay.
Jan. 8, 1919.
Dearest Mother and All:
Suppose you have received my
other letters o. X. so you arn't
worrying. Today was regimental
parade and We all passed in review
before the Colonel. 81 shots were
fired, which is the army salute in
honor to our Ex-president Roose-
velt's death and felt proud to think
that I could stand in ranks with the
rest of the boys in khaki in honor
to our great ex-president.
Suppose many of the boys are
back home from camps and back to
civilian life again, and it's not very
long from now and I'll be there too.
There are two transports loaded with
troops due to arrive here the middle
of this month. Today's paper said
that there are 5000 to 5000 on their
way here now, so If that's the case
us war babies will be leaving short
ly, so I am just waiting patiently
for them to arrive, and as soon as
hear definite when We will sail for
home I'll let you know, but its only
a matter of couple of months or so
at the most, and they won't hold US
any longer than possible.
So you just inform the western
Union I am coming back for my 1ob'
Ha! Ha! am able to take wireless
or telegraph job now so l am not
worrying about that, just so l get
back. You want to plan on staying
up all night for got lots of things
to tell you about my trip over here
and across the states.
Saw l haven't received my shirts
yet, but if you haven't sent them
don't send 'em, as l may be on my
way back before they get here. But
keen on writing so l will be getting
mail but when my letter saying l
am leaving here then 2S days later
YOU will get wire from me IN