OCR Text |
Show August 1944 THE CENTERVILLE NEWSETTE SERVICE NEWS and NOTES From the Mail Bag The following newsy letter came from Pfc. Jay Streeper: Some place in Iran. I guess its my turn to write a few lines, expressing my feelings toward the Newsette and stall. I think that if a fellow coming in from a hard days grind could have a copy of the Newsette waiting for him at the end of that day, he would be a very happy person and wouldnt feel so tired. I say that because I stepped into that same thing just this evening. I was equally tired and sleepy but upon opening a letter from home I found a copy of the Newsette, which I assure you was very much welcome along with my mothers letter. It was only an hour ago and I think I have read it three times to make sure I hadnt missed anything and because each time I read my thoughts drifted back yes, to the little towrn wrhere the paper was originated. Time here is 7 p.m. and I am approximately twelve hours ahead of you. Yes, there are quite a few minutes between me and home and miles more, but my thoughts are there a good deal of the time; in fact, every minute in which it isnt occupied by something else. I have seen quite a number of sights, and .very interesting ones at that, since leaving U. S. shores. Landing on the coast of Africa, we traveled by plane inland. I was able to visit Casablanca and saw everything possible there. Journeying further east, Cairo, Egypt, was my next place to visit. I dont think I missed very much of Cairo even though my time was short. The trip by air wras the best way to see what I did the Suez Canal, Palestine, and many things of interest. I guess that puts me up to this present and permanent place for me for quite a while. This is one of the hottest places in the world, so I was told, and I havent any doubt in my mind as to its being the truth. If any one of you have ever been at the face of an open door to a blast furnace you have a good idea just how hot the winds are here. All in all I know there are much worse places, and I can be thankful I didnt go to them. Tell the townsfolks hello for me and I hope we fellows are back to really celebrate soon. Sincerely, Pfc. Jay Streeper. am keeping a lot of good food from spoiling in addition to my other duties, writes SSgt. Bill Winn now in England. I am surely glad to have the Centerville Newsette sent to me it lets me know what a lot of the other fellows are doing. I was showing it to one of the li.A.F. (Royal Air Force) boys that I contact in a days work. He was more than interested in the activities that the town folk join in, and said he wished his wife, children and folks were in a land where they were safe from the war and could live the normal life you have there in the states. You can thank God you dont have to go through what these people have had to. Just think how you would feel if your home and all you have was blown up some night. I have seen this, and it sure makes me feel how lucky and blessed my people are. I used to think things were tough when they rationed gas, sugar, and a few other things, but you dont know what rationing is compared to things here. Love to all the town folk. I William L. Winn, Somewhere in England. Dear Newsette: Well, I have been in the hospital for eight weeks, then I went to another part where I was training to build my body up so I could go back to my company and start where I left off. While in the hospital I had the very best of care and a wonderful diet. When we were well enough to get out of bed, we had a group of wonderful men in charge of us in our training, and it was their duty to see that we did not overdo or get exhausted. We played games for a certain length of time each day, such as ball, golf, tennis, ping pong, or badminton, and would swim three times a week always under strict observation, which was a wonderful way to take care of fellows who have been in the hospital for a long time. Would like the Newsette to give this information as a tonic to mothers who worry like my dear mother does, and it might be good for the dads of those who have sons or daughters in the hospital now or later. Dont worry. I am feeling fine now and am on my way somewhere with my APO New York. Love to all of you, Griffin Winn. Page Three Thomas Junior Williams, writing from his tent in New Guinea, says, I want you all to know how I enjoy the Newsette. It surely is nice to get the news each month from the old home town. I also appreciate the Era after I read it the other fellows all read it and think it is a swell magazine. We are all like one big family over here there is nothing but unity. We all get along so nicely, I wouldnt trade the division I am in for any other in the army. I was surely glad when Bud Randall moved in. We get to see each other very often. Tell all hello for me. Pvt. Eric D. Hogan sent the following letter to the Town Board from Florida, and the Board turned it over to the Newsette. It speaks for itself, and we are arranging to have copies sent to Eric by the Roy Randall family. Dear Friends of the Town Council: I understand that the town of Centerville has undertaken to print a small newspaper giving all the local news and also much about what is happening to the boys from Centerville who are away from home in the service. It has been so long since I was home that I must admit that Im a long way behind on local news and I would certainly appreciate it if you would put me on your list and send me a few copies. I would give anything to come back to Centerville to visit with all you fine neighbors, but Im afraid that Ill be taking a long trip soon after I graduate from this gunnery school. Until I do come back give my best to all my acquaintances there. Very sincerely yours, Pvt. Eric D. Hogan. The historic country of Iran has been the post of MSgt. Derrell B. (Pudge) Tingey, home last month. Derrell is the son of Mrs. Perry Tingey, and the husband of the former Grace Major. He has been overseas for about two years. He enlisted in the Transportation Corps on June 5, 1942, and went to Camp Rucker, Ala., where he was a member of the 81st Inf. Division, and to Fort Wayne, Ind. in the 730th Railway Operation Btn. He was in the Pacific for a while and before coming home was stationed at Teheran, Iran. His job was supplying the Russians with supplies through the Trans-Irania- n Railway. He has received the Good Conduct medal and has service ribbons for the Pacific and TURN TO PAGE FOUR |