Dear Folks:
I have only a little while in which to compose a letter and so many new things have taken place that don’t know whether I can get it all in properly.
Probably the first thing was our Armistice Day affair. On the program was a sham battle and firings of guns and many other things. There were thousands of visitors and I believe many of them were really thrilled to see the sham battle including airplanes, machine guns, smoke screens and all the rest. Also people were driven around in our little jeep, moms riding over bumps holding on to their bonnets and dads grinning big as pie. Thousands of ‘civies’ and soldiers were jammed into the bowl to see and hear the commander and chaplain deliver an address.
Today was “gassed”. Not literally but given enough of a demonstration to impress upon us the need of speed and the efficiency of our gas masks. We were taken into a gas chamber twice in which there was a heavy concentration of tear gas. The first time we entered had on our mask but the next time ran in without the masks, then hurriedly and perhaps frantically, put them on. Most of us were crying and felt hot irritations similar to the feeling of soap in one’s eyes. Of course the effect wore off immediately. Also were later given smells by means of bombs, of chlorine, Luvs cite, Adams cite, and phosgene. Very interesting. Also walked into a very heavy smokescreen so thick in fact we practically had to hold hands to keep together.
Now comes the big event and accounting for the hurriedness of this letter. I’m leaving for San Diego tonight and will arrive there Saturday at ten, so will have quite a visit with Gram. By the time you get this I will be back in camp. You don’t think I’ve gained (weight). Well I weighed 127 ¼ at Cheyenne and now am over 140, quite a good gain.
Proud to see Dan in the football picture. Our Thanksgiving is next Thursday the 20th. About the package, I’ve told you most what I want already but can always use sundry toilet articles such as only Moms can think of. I feel I’ve slighted you in this letter but I’ll write after I get back from San Diego.
All my love,
