Danville High School - Medley Yearbook (Danville, IL)

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Mosher is Irish and I suspect Walsh is too—so know there will be another big day for history when they reach Ireland, for they’ll probably make a killing. Suppose I’ll have to knock a German down today for Walsh, as last St. Patrick’s day Dick was knocked down a stairway by a German shell—so he said and he promised himself that this St. Patrick’s day it would be his turn to knock a German down and as he’s away and a friend of mine will cause me to fulfill his promise. Yesterday was inspection—and, oh boy, we were all set for it in fine shape— clothes pressed, shoes clean, etc.,—Col. Reilly had been in Paris for some days getting affairs fixed up—the band had been enlarged to 100 pieces and we arose at 8 o’clock—breakfast at 8:15 and left here in motor trucks at 9 o’clock. About 1 o’clock we were assembled on the banks of a river which is noted for its Watch. The four Infantry regiments on the right, then the Engineers, then Artillery, of which the 149th is a ramous part, the Ammunition Train, Medical and Hospital Corps and the Mobile Ordnance. The men to be decorated were in a single line in the center of the Division in front (and Battery A had her share of these honors and we sure are proud of the boys). The platform was constructed on the side of a small hill from which you could overlook the whole division. The Band was stationed next to the platform—I was in the third row and had a fine view of all the manoeuvre. Gen. Pershing first inspected the kitchens, then came to the Review Grounds, where he mounted a horse and rode around the Division—coming to a halt, he dismounted and made an inspection on foot—during which time the regimental band played. After the dismounted inspection was finished he returned to the reviewing stand and the men to be decorated stepped forward and halted before this famous General—the band played “The Star-Spangled Banner’’—regimental standards were dipped—then Pershing decorated the men and regimental colors of various regiments tor valor—courage and except’onal bravery. After this the regiments passed in review—then assembled in a mass where Pershing made a talk to the enlisted officers and men. It was a grand sight and one I shall never forget. The Band is now represented by four Battery A boys—Paul Clark, Harry Scharlan, Russell Young and myself and I’m not lonesome for company. You know this band is benefited by our rare ability, Ha! Ha! Ask Kendall Hooten, for I used to worry him around about 6 a. m. once upon a time. We are to have our overseas shots today, then get coobzed and have all our clothing dipped. The big noise today is—we will be ready to sail by April 1st. Well anyway I’ll try to see you by May 1st. Big Swede. Page Twenty

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Jiamt Patrick’s pa r A year ago today I was just starting to know what war really was, but the passing of three hundred and sixty-five days taught me all the rules and regulations and, believe me, I was an apt student in the ducking line—consequently I am among the living. This day is one of Battery A’s historical ones for Frank Hickman and Austin Schumacher were wounded a year ago. A week ago yesterday (Sunday) we played a band concert for the Colonel, but were through at 3:30—so the boys (Dick Walsh, Nitty Lewis and Ford Dwiggins) had a horse waiting for me and this quartet departed at full speed across the mountains for Dernan to have a visit with the Marner’s and we sure were given a glorious welcome,—first time we had been there since we left that town and it was a big reception. “Dad” Marner brought out his best wine. “Mother” Marner’s waffles never tasted better and Katie had had her picture taken and was right there with it in her hand to give to me—believe me Katie is a mighty pretty girl, so we returned home with our appetites and thirst thoroughly satisfied. Saturday we went up to Bad Nenenahr to get a complete new outfit and while there Elmo Ellis, Ferris Jones and I left and spent the remainder of the day about this town. We visited the hospital and saw “Babe” Brown, Foley, Bill Govan, Thomas Kissans and Albert Schomacher. When we came downstairs to go out the guard halted us and said we couldn’t get out. We were quite anxious to know the reason why and he replied—“ that patients were not allowed out after o’clock.” I gave him the laugh and asked him if I looked like a sick man and he said “Yes”, and I had a devil of a time convincing him it was only homesickness and that I wasn’t a patient and finally got out. We had a splendid day beginning with' a swell dinner—theatre in the afternoon and evening—and dances with the Red Cross Nurses and Y. W. C. A. girls in the afternoon after the show. Bad Nenenahr is the 42nd Division one day leave area,—something going on all the time and you have a ticket with sevfcn stubs which takes you every place. Nearly all the boys are either going or coming in on passes from three to fourteen days. It sure is one grand life to go back into France for two weeks and eat all the eggs and ham you want,—sure thought I was a General while I was enjoying my trip. Dick Walsh and Tom Mosher left for England—bet they have a hot time. Page Nineteen

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O ur of tr Half a millenium ago no one had ever thought that man could fly as well as a bird. Even if one of the noted scientists had proposed such a machine, the populace of the universe would have committed him to an insane asylum. But coming to the twentieth century where genius works undistuibed, the great Wright Brothers’ bird of the air was flown. The Wrights were condemned by everyone, but they worked on until their machine was perfected to a safe degree. The aeroplane was used very little for half a score of years, but those that were crafty and brave enough astounded the world by the marvelous loop-the-loops, nose dives, and other hazardous manoeuvres. The value and the seivice of the aeroplane was never realized until the German autocrat set the world aflame and bathed the land in blood. His great falcons of the air swooped down on defenseless towns, to kill the flower of humanity. The eyes of the Allies opened quickly, but their air forces were not up to standard. After three years of fighting across the water Uncle Sam was forced into the fray. He developed a great air force as well as a superb army and navy. Every factory available for this kind of manufacturing was ordered to help build the great squadron of the air. Millions were spent in building training fields and aeroplanes, but what did this amount to when the future of our country wras at stake. With the help of our allied experts, we built those much needed planes and trained thousands of our young men in the art of flying and battling with the Huns. Our planes and men were superior to the Huns, because in one month the American Flying Corps brought down one hundred and ninety seven planes officially recorded. The great Liberty motor that spelled freedom when it was mounted in a plane has become the greatest motor for service. So we must thank the experts and mechanics of our aeroplane corporations for their unceasing toil to outwit the Hun. Thomas Hanson. Page Twenty-one