In honor of Veterans Day here is a transcription of a letter from private Ed Albright written at the end of World War I to his friend Art Lindsey (Brendan and Olivia's great grandfather).
Treveray France
Dec 25. 1918
Dear Friend Art
Well how is the old scout by this time I am feeling good only my right ear is going on the bum. I can only hear half the time. I had a bad cold about two weeks ago and I guess it settled in my head boy I couldn't sleep for several nights. I would sit up in bed and the rest of the boys would be sleeping like logs that would make me mad, well nothing bothers Ed if it comes out alright it will be so much the better if not you will half to holler real loud at me.
Ha, well Art the big worlds war is won. I sure seen all I wanted too you know I always told you I wanted to be in it before it ended and I got right in it too with both feet it was a great game men falling all around you the first front I was in was the Alsace Lorraine front boy I was laying out there one whole night with a Automatic rifle and about midnight we began shooting but the little boy done the work on No Mans Land. The first dugout I ever slept in was a German boy I sure was glad to crawl in it I was so tired I could of slept out in the open where it was pouring down rain. I walked for twenty miles that day with my pack on my back. The Germans sure used a lot of gas they would just keep shooting it over all the time but we beat them at their own game.
Well I can't tell you all of it so will talk of something else. Well how is marriage life by this time I guess you young bucks made all kinds of money this year. I always told you that you would be married soon. I'll be too old and stiff when I get back to get married.
Ha, we sure are having great weather it snowed last night on Xmas eve but I went to bed at seven o'clock so I didn't care no place to go or nothing to do but go in a wine or beer shop and I was tired so I crawled in my little nest.I am sleeping in a
farm boy it is great but it is not very cold over here yeh only it is awful damp keeps a fellow busy so he don't ketch a cold.
How is Ellen? I hope your folks are well will try and get back some day and make you a visit for I'll be a broke sardine when I get there Ha. Say how is the Lodge coming? I suppose they will drop me. Well I can't help it. Say how is Louie? I often thought of him, tell him Hello for me. Well I guess I must close we are going to have a big Xmas dinner at four o'clock. I don't know if I ever wrote you a letter or not. I bet it is cold back home now. Say, many thanks for that money. So Good Bye. I'll be home in time to help you harvest So be good. Hello to the family. Ha.
Priv E. W. Albright
Amer. Exped. Forces
A.P.C 795 write soon
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