Smyrna times., 1944-04-13
DRlBBLES
FROM
Our Boys and Girls
in the Service
by
David C. Harrison Post, No. IA,
American Legion, and Unit of the
American Legion Auxiliary.
FROM
European Area
by

European Area
Hello ALL:
Come over to this part of the
world to see Smyrna folk. Indeed,
that's almost the way I've found it
since 1 ran into Lee Slaughter last
August. After that it was Pete
Staats in September. Lee again
twice in Octiber and "Bill" Hutch
ison the same month. Then
.Hutch" again at a coincidental
meeting in January-and just to-
day, another hometown lad and
personal buddy of mine. But, at
this point, my story begins.
Last week, Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday to be exact, 1 spent
three days with "Hutch" at his
field, and you can well imagine the
good time we had. For some first
hand eye witness information on
this "plow jockey" from out Clay
ton way. I'll present to you all
that is fit to print.
Hutch" is looking fine, and ap-
parently feels the same. He's al
most finished his tour of operation
al missions over Germany, and if
he is lucky, he might be back in
the States in couple of months.
s1Iutch" has seen his sister, Har-
riet, on one occasion, as you prob
brother Ed. Hutch" has a swell
crew (they made me feel right at
home. My money was no good
when we went out during the
evenings while 1 was with them.)
While I was there, we took quite
q few pictures-I had sense enough
ito take my camera along. Just as
soon as these pictures are develop
ed TIL send you print of Hutch"
and me. (Judy Garland is now
singing "Over the Rainbow" = All
mel
Well, all good things usually
have an ending, and I was soon on
my way back to my own field.
There's war on, you know, and
the Army has habit of demand
ing my service from time to time.
This morning, about 1918, I re-
ceived a message telling me to call
our flight control tower, so I hur-
ried over to the phone and made
the call. Who should be on the
other end of the line but that no.
torious lady killer, 1t. Johnny Mel
win! 1 didn't recognize his voice
at first, so you can imagine my
surprise when Johnny told me who
he was. l told Johnny to wait
right where he was and I'd be right
UP. There he was with his CO.
pilot. grinning from ear to ear. It's
been over two and a half years
since we've seen each other-since
July, 1941-so naturally we had a
dot to talk about. Johnny is pilot
on a CAT troop transport, and car
Gied paratroopers over both Sicily
and Salerno. He has only been up
here for two weeks and hasn't had
enough time to learn how to prop
erly balance a cup of tea, or play
q good game of darts. We only
had a. chance to beat our gums for
about an hour, because he had to
take off, but before he left, Johnny
took me on a tour of inspection
through his ship. We're planning
on spending two or three days to-
gether the first of April, when I'll
stop off at his field while I'm on
furlough. I hope everything works
out according to plan and doesn't
SNAFU on us. Wish us luck, will
you?
After Johnny took off, pro-
ceeded to my favorite building
the chow hall, where 1 rubbed ell
bows with James Cagney, the Hol-
lywood star. I don't know what
the duce he was doing in there-he
didn't have his mess kit with him
Must be crazy! :.
Then, to top off a perfect day,
received puh-lenty of mail-same.
thing I've been standing short or
lately. All of the letters telling me
about my sisters wedding and re-
ception--in detail, including what
the bride and maid of honor wore
how the champagne cocktails ant
chicken salad tasted at therecep.
lion. I could almost smell the
Bardenia bouquet that Mary Emma