GRATZ AND LYKENS BOYS MEEY VALLEY BOYS ON PACIFIC ISLAND
One recent Sunday afternoon in the Southwest Pacific, a group of valley service boys spent an enjoyable afternoon reminiscing facts and occurrences in this section, having accidentally met, because one boy in a group of three remembered the address of his friend from Gratz, his home town.
As related in a recent letter received from one of the group, it occurred this way:
Earle Buffington and John Buffington, brothers of Lykens, by chance met Robert Rothermel, of Gratz, and after consideration decided to set out on a scouting tour to see the sights. During their travel they came upon a sign which read, “475 A. A. A.” That, exclaimed Rothermel, is Rossy Blyler and Jake Hoffman‘s address; both formerly of Gratz.
Into the camp section the three eager boys went and soon were in contact with the previously mention[ed] Gratz boys. To their surprise, other boys from this section were also quartered there and included the following: Wayne Leitzel, John Peifer and Leroy Lebo, Gratz; Bob Trout and David Snyder, Lykens; Lefty Coleman, Millersburg; Bob Rowe, Wiconisco; Lewis Miller and Bill Semansky, Williamstown; Red Lenker, William Beard and Thomas Stepp, Millersburg; and Charles Deppen, Pillow.
The group, the letter states, spent an afternoon they hope will be their good fortune to repeat during their time in service.
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From the Lykens Standard, March 17, 1944, via Newspapers.com.
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