"I am enjoying my camp life very much. Of course it
is not like home, but I am satisfied and have never regretted
having
enlisted in the army."
October 2, 1917.
"I like our camp life better each day. We are getting
bayonet practice here now. It is indeed, interesting. As it is
the
bayonet charges that the American army depends on, we are
drilled to perfection in it."
November 23, 1917.
"Many people do not realize how hard the Y.M.C.A. has
to work or how much they help the soldiers, but if those
people were in our place, they would soon see how much they
really do help us and how anxious they are to do us any favor
we may ask of them. It is a great work and ought to be encouraged
by everybody.
"I am sending you a clipping I just took from the Rockford
Morning Star. It has reference to the company I am in and I
am proud of being a member of it. The following is the clipping
referred to above: 'Company K, model unit of the 129th Infantry,
is working hard on the special training which it must receive.
It has been picked as one of the fourth best trained companies
in the entire division.'
"I am always anxious for Saturday to come, so I get
the home paper."
Somewhere in France, 1918.
"I hear that several more of the High School boys have
enlisted. That makes me feel good to hear it. That will add
several more stars to our service flag. What I want most
of all is to get home all safe and sound, but if I don't why
it's all right anyway. I enlisted of my own free will."
Somewhere in France, July 5, 1918.
"I suppose you are enjoying your summer vacation now?
So am I. I am over here in France playing and flirting with
death. Talk about your Fourth of July celebrations! Come
over to see me and I will guarantee to show you a good one. Fire-crackers?
Yes.
"This is certainly a fine and beautiful country. The
hedges make a great contrast to our fences in the States, but
I should
not want to make this my home for very long.
"We are not far from . . . . . . where, the keeper says,
Joan of Arc was imprisoned for a short time.
"We had the great privilege of seeing Lloyd-George today."
Schieren, Luxembourg, January, 1919.
"I was very grieved when I heard that poor Kenneth Wells
would never return again. It is hard to think that one so full
of life as he was when I saw him last should lie on foreign
soil, but it is with great pride that I say I was one of his
friends and classmates. We have one consolation left and that
is, 'He died for an honorable flag and cause,' as many of my
comrades have done. It was their spirit that led us on to victory.
I hope when my own time comes, I may die for the same glorious
cause, even if not in battle - I mean, for the flag.
"If only I could meet all my old classmates just now,
or when I get back. But why say that when I know that can never
be. The one I most wish to see will never return again.
"I have one hope left, and that is to be home in time
for the next graduation. You know the reason why!"