tenement of clay; but the impulse he imparted to us shall continue to live in us and bear fruit, each after its kind; and we, in turn, shall pass them on to those that follow us. Our friend’s body is gone, but his dreams of service and of human duty remain. His death not only brought the deepest sorrow and sadness to the paternal home but has cast a gloom over the entire community. We are reminded in the sacrifice of this young man’s life for his country that we live not in years, but in deeds and the influence of his brave sacrifice upon our citizens and those of the state cannot be estimated. Realizing the sorrow it has brought in this home and feeling the los it has brought to our country all extend heartfelt sympathy.
Deceased is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Sylvester, two brothers, Park, with the 315th Co. F. A. now in France, and Edwin Jr. at home, two sisters, Mrs. Nettie Caldwell, Coleraine, and Mrs. Meta Holmes, Ames Iowa.
Numerous and most beautiful floral tributes were in evidence at the services bespeaking the high regard in which he was held in the various orders and by his host of friends. Among the largest was the reproduction of a service flag of flowers with a gold star in the center. The American flag was also reproduced in flowers.
Mrs. J. W. Dyer came down from St. Paul last week to be present at the funeral of her nephew, Byrl Sylvester.
Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Holmes of Ames, Iowa arrived last week being called here by the sudden death of her brother, Byrl Sylvester.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. C. Landon drove up from Winona Sunday on a visit to the home of Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Fisk, remaining over to attend the funeral of Byrl Sylvester Monday.
Among the naval squad from Dunwoody who attended the Sylvester funeral was Norman Hick, a former Plainview High School student who considered himself very fortunate to be among those picked to attend the services.
U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION
Pensacola, Florida
My dear Mr. Sylvester,
In further connection with telegram sent you from this station, I am writing you additional details concerning the deplorable accident which resulted in the death of your son.
The accident occurred at 6:30 AM June 19th while Chief Quartermaster Sylvester and Blair were in formation flight together with two other planes. Your son was at an altitude of 700 feet, a few hundred yards in the rear of and 200 yards above the leader of the formation. Blair was on the same level with your son and a few hundred yards to the rear and to the left. The formation was making a right turn over the water near the station when your son’s plane was seen to skid to the left and crash into Blair’s plane while he was in the right turn. Your son’s plane seemed to slow up because of the skid and thus Blair’s plane hung up with him.
It appears the pilots of both lanes were intent upon following the leader and probably did not see each other until just before the crash. The planes immediately locked wings and swung around into a head-on collision and instantly fell into the water, separating after having fallen several hundred feet.
Blair was seen to fall from his plane at about 100 feet from the water. The force of the collision must have broken the seat strap with which he was secured and his death must have been instantaneous.
The speed boat proceeded immediately to the spot where Blair was seen to strike the water and one of the crew seeing him five or six feet below the surface dove

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