Forest ~ son of M. F. Grimes
Decatur County Journal-Iowa
Thursday, November l, l9l7
M.F. GRIMES received a most interesting letter this week from his son, FOREST GRIMES, who is one of the Leon boys who enlisted last spring in the Navy.FOREST is on the Pennsylvania and says that he likes the Navy fine.He is a gunner and his crew is one of the most efficient on the big warship.
When he wrote the letter he stated that he had recently returned from a trip out into the ocean for target practice and that he was sea sick for a time as it was the first time they had been out far, but that he soon got over it.He is on the list for an eight day furlough which he expects to get in the near future.He will come to Leon then for a few days visit.In his letter he enclosed two copies of the Sunday News published on board the Pennsylvania.
On the first page is printed the program for Sunday services.In one place in the News it stated that recreation parties will be landed at intervals and that the jackies may proceed in marching order to picnic grounds where they may enjoy an afternoon of recreation.They will either be allowed to take their lunch or arrangements will be made with the Red Cross or other organizations for their entertainment.
The News also speaks of the electric piano used for the amusement of men on the vessel.The announcement is also made that daily papers have been ordered for the boat's reading room.The list of papers to come regularly to the boat being The New York Times, New York American, Chicago Tribune, Boston Post, New Orleans Times-Picayune, Philadelphia Public Ledger, Pittsburg Despatch and the Washington Post.
In another place we note the mess menu for Sunday dinner.It includes cream of asparagus soup, roast pork, apple sause, mashed turnips, creamed mashed potatoes, ice cream and cake.