"Just #17028"

"Jess" Hawley '17 had not stuck his head in the door, nor had any whimsical post cards come in from anywhere between Connecticut and Florida, for nearly a year. Maybe the effects of climbing Gile's mountain early one 20th reunion morning had finally caught up with said bantam rooster? An S.O.S. for repartfee brought word that Kent had gone to work for Gil Swett and all the other boys aloft. Surely the big gang of us who punch a time clock in one sense or another will utter a "bravo" to Jess, who writes: "I had been unable to tell you anything certain but now confess I am a duly qualified inspector for the United Aircraft, East Hartford. As a veteran I felt it was about the most I could do—other age limits too high now. So I went to their school for gear inspection and am now just No. 17028—second shift. They will be needing many more, 21,000 now working and expect 30,000 by fall. Believe at least the Pratt and Whitney Division is full speed ahead. Am living here at the Milner Hotel. Rooms are hard to find for 2nd shifters which means 3:30 to midnight. So for the present I can do little more than work and sleep."