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Naval Hospital Base
Ward A. Hampton Roads
Va
Aug 3, 1918

Dear homefolks
Just wrote you a letter and mailed it, just before I received yours. I thought I would write you again 
those stamps were stuck together it being so hot, but I got some paste and used them both on one letter 
(Ha Ha) As I said in the other letter I was operated on for a slight rupture, so slight that I did not 
have to take ether and did not pain me either. They said I could have gone on a life time and it might 
not have bothered me but

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I would have been taking that risk. Well a Y.M.C.A. man just came through as I started the letter and I 
asked him about my pay. He can find out by asking the men over at the Administration Building whether I 
draw my pay the 5th or not. I am sure glad you are well. I will be in bed three days longer. I have served 
three days now.

Corda I am glad you got a school, and hope you will like it. Those insurance papers will not be sent to 
you Mamma until I have been in the service six months.

I got a letter from Wilson Chappel when he was in Rhode Island but haven't answered it. I told Milton 
Bragg that I would write to him but haven't had time. Tell him I will write to him soon if not see him. 
I'm quite sure

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I can get a furlough in about one month. I see lots of sights around here. Norfolk isn't much of a town 
they say. I have never been there.

The big observation balloons are up all the time watching for U-boats. A sub sank some empty rafts here 
close when I first came to this camp. That report came out in the paper whether it was true or not I 
don't know. I saw a French plane the other day. It was its second flight since it was built. It is so 
powerful hardly any man will fly in it. It has only one speed and when the flyer wants to come to

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the ground he must shut his engine off altogether. It went so fast it looked like a streak passing 
through the sky.

What was Sylvester G. operated on for?

Where does Harry go from Camp Dodge? Give me his address when you write.

I forget that route we took Coy, when we came here. I just know we came through the roughest part of 
the two Virginias. I thought so anyway. We went through 32 tunnels in the Virginias.

This is the route we took as near as I can tell. After leaving Ill we entered Indiana and Logensport 
was the last stop in and before dark. When we awoke the next morn we found ourselves crossing

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the river that divides this and West Va. It is the Ohio river isn't it? I can't remember the names of 
any of the large towns in the Va's. I wrote you a card and dropped it off at some to in the West Va 
but I've forgotten the name of it. Did you get the card? We were treated so nice in all the towns. At 
the large towns the Red Cross ladies served refreshments. Rowanok was the name of that town I mailed 
the card from Corda. That may not be the way it is spelled but you will know what to look for on the 
map. Then we went to bed again and the next morning we were in Norfolk.

Well a man is taking up the mail so I will quit. Tell me all the K. news. I don't think I ever wrote 
as long a letter before.
With Lots of Love
Raymond Marquess

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Norfolk VA
AUG a
12- N
191
NAVAL BASE STATION

Mrs. J.W. Marquess.
611-E-Cottonwood, St.
Kirksville
Missouri

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Return if not delivered
Naval Hospital Base, Ward A,
Hampton Roads Virginia.

W.W.I.110.47