The following is a letter written by my great uncle, Alvin Neil MCDOWELL, as he prepared to leave for training at the end of WWI. He was the son of Wid and Mary YARDLEY MCDOWELL. His mother had died of typhoid fever just a couple years prior to this letter and his brothers and sisters were scattered to relatives. This was a result of his father being unwilling to raise the younger children by himself. His parents never got along, and his father had abandoned his mother and the younger children near Heber Springs, Arkansas where she became sick and died. They were all originally from Sullivan County, MO with many of the children ending up there after their mother's death. Alvin was born Aug. 21, 1899 and died on Sept. 16, 1961. I do not know anything about his time of service following this letter. I have left all of the mispellings and capitalization as it was in the letter. He also mentions several of his friends including Glen LEACH, Layton HIGH, Harry CLEIN (son of Lee CLEIN), Newton LONG, and Henry HOSETETTERS (sic). Thought you might enjoy it or find it of use: Trenton, MO Sunday April 21, 1918 Dear father, Brothers & Sisters how are all there? this leaves me feeling fine and I only hope you are all the same. I left Milan yesterday at five oclock. and I have been here in trenton since then. But I leave here for Kansas City on the 7.30 oclock train tomorrow. and from there on to the Jefferson Barracks, at St Louis. Very likely you know this by now But this letter will help to take away a little of the hurt that is why I am writing it. as I write this letter there is no bitterness in my mind against any of you. and please dont think I have done this to hurt my relatives for if there ever was any Bitterness in my mind it is all gone now. I have been fighting this back a long time, at least 2 years. You girls know that I always did want to be a soldier. and if you had all been here, I would have enlisted just the same. I passed a fine examination this morning, stripped naked., I weigh 193 lbs. and am 5 ft 10 inches tall Barefooted. I enlisted as a machinists helper in an automobile repair shop. at Jefferson Barracks I will get from 6 weeks to 2 months drilling then they will send me to Texas. and after I learn about auto engines if I want to go Uncle Sam will send me to France as a truck driver. I sure am proud to be in my uncles service. Glen Leach and Layton High are both coming soon. it is known almost beyond doubt that Harry Clein, Lee Cleins boy has been killed in france. they got the word sunday april 14 in the newspaper. he is the first Sullivan County boy to either be killed or wounded in action. I met one of my old friends in Trenton last night. he is Newton Long. he was at McClanahans when I worked there April one year ago. I am eating at the best hotel in Trenton, and also rooming at just as good a place as uncle sam can furnish. he has paid all my expenses since I have been here. I am the nearest satisfied now that I have ever been yet, just as quick as I can draw three months pay I will send the $10.00 to you pappa, and the $5.00 to Uncle Pet. tell them all hello for me. I shall have my picture taken when I get to camp. then I will send you one. we have got a fine rain, and right on top of that a snow which is 12 in deep here in Trenton. it began sometime Friday night and fell untill almost noon today. But the tempture has been so warm that a lot of it has melted now. you know how bad Henry Hosetetters Eyes were. it was just the lids, for he is one of the Best shots in the camp where he is at. he knocked out 4 out of 5 Bullseyes in practice, and they say he is a good soldier. well I will write again when I get settled in camp so goodby and dont worry about me for I had just as well fight for old Glory as the next man. I will close with Love I am a Son and Brother Alvin >>>Letter submitted by Marsha Sears