Laurel outlook., 1945-01-24

Laurel.
Lieut.. Robert A. Ranger, McCaw
General Hospital, Walla Walla
Wash, Jan. Is:
Now that l am back in the States
and have an address, the Outlook
arrives on schedule each week. To-
days issue reminds me that l owe
a letter of thanks to the paper and
to the many people of Laurel who
have benefited me with their kind
ness and generosity since learning
of my disqualification. Those people
being so numerous that should |
probably receive my letters barely
in time for next Christmas. There
fore, l would like to thank them all
at once through the Service Peoples
Column in the Outlook.
The above does not mean that l
am averse to writing letters . . O..
on the contrary, I would like to
write to anyone in Laurel who may
find the time and inclination to
write to me. l have crossed enough
borders and oceans since l have
been in the service that | might
even be able to sugar-coat a geo.
graphy lesson or two for a few of
the grade students.
Shortly after I left Laurel last
spring, l went to England, where
l Joined the 505th parachute infan-
try of the SIND airborne division.
The extremely high combat pro-
ficiency of one battalion of that
regiment was largely due to the
courage and unstinted efforts of the
late Captain Dale Roysdon of Lau-
rel, who was operations officer of
the battalion. Those of US who
knew Dale we'll realize that there
could be no position in warfare for
him other than the one in which
he sacrificed his life, a courageous
leader. We realize too, that his
community has suffered the loss of
a valuable citizen. Alng with our
sorrow we cherish a great pride in
our memory of him, both as hero
and good citizen.
l jumped in Holland near Arm
hiem and Nijmegen with my out
fit in September. l lasted until the
first week in October, when |
emerged second best in an argu-
ment with an enemy machine gun
nest over who was to dominate a
certain piece of terrain my
(some of Americas best) won
the argument in our favor a little
I am doing fine now, and
expect to be crutching around by
midsummer 1 am thankful for
optimism and modern surgery.
PFC. Frank P. Thatcher, Tampa,
Fla, Jan Is:
l have been here, near Tampa,
for several weeks, but l didn't know
for how long. 1 met the rest of
the crew and came here to Drew
to complete my gunnery train
ing-B-17 bomber, lower ball tur-
ret.
The Outlook has been coming to
regularly, and 1 read it from
front to back. Thanks to every
5ody responsible for it going to
men.
This is all till next time, and
to all at home.
PFC. Glenn K. Fly, somewhere
the Pacific, Jan. ~:
l now receive the Outlook regu-
arly, and surely do appreciate it.
I liked the story you had about
.r. and Mrs. Armstrong. They
certainly have done their part in the
var effort. l know the Armstrong
well and as a boy spent
many carefree days at their farm,
and eating apples from
heir orchard. AS is typical of a
arge family there was a lesson in
he home, that of happiness and
a helping hand. They had
he true spirit of the old west.
There. was always room at the
able for one more, and l know
here are many Laurel boys in the
ervice who recall eating some Of
FRS. Armstrong; wonderful meals.
wish to extend my thanks to her |
through the paper.
l would like to hear from all the !
Armstrong boys if they can find
to write.
1 enjoy my new work very much,