Wed. August 1, 1917

Dear Marie,

Your four letters from J. B. are here ok. They sure stirred up some
“happy feeling” alright. I wish I could have one every day. You would
write that often if you know how glad I am to get them. We are getting
the heavy work now and are pushed from rising call till bedtime. Today
we were up at 5:15 and there were very few spare moments. We drilled
until 8:00 tonight. We have regular infantry drill on top of the signal
work. In the latter we have buzzer practise like you and I used to do
and ‘wig-wag’ signaling in the field.

There are about six different means of communication that we must
master. My partner in ‘wig-wag’ practise told me (by the flag signals)
that he was a Minnesota man, head been a train dispatcher and had served
in the army five years. He started to talk by asking me if I had heard
the report about the world coming to an end. My arm is dead tired from
waving my signal flag and I can hardly write. I guess I am the youngest
man here. Almost all are over 25. They are starting classes in French
language tonight. Our training is being rush as

OVER

fast as possible. I went to the sergeant and asked him why I was
assigned to the Radio Corps and he referred me to the Company Commander.
I saw him but he told me to discuss it with the Battallion commander. I
didn’t push it any further but last night the sergeant called me in the
orderly room and questioned me pretty thoroughly on my past experience.
I may get in the aerial photography yet. However I am well pleased with
what I have now. This “stuff” is also a little safer than photography
from aeroplanes.

They keep us on the jump but it certainly is interesting.

Mother says you look like a girl of 18 with you hair done up. I almost
hate to think of you any different than you were when I last saw you. I
am afraid after all that you will change in more ways than one before I
come back. Please keep that diary and don’t skip even a day. Put down
what you think as well as what you do. I will send you a picture when I
get one of you, maybe. Don’t hesitate to tell me if there is anything I
have that you can use.

Yours, Forrest

Tell you mother to write some more like her first one.

Believe me I sure enjoyed it.

No more time tonight but will write again tomorrow.

I got your letter with the world coming to an end clipping this noon. I
have no opinion to offer ----- it is the least of my troubles.