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Old Words
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! He kept a daily diary. He wrote of breaking camp to go get
turnips from a field they had passed earlier that day on a march. He
wrote it all in pencil. He wrote of not holding much hope that he would
make it back to US soil alive.
He wrote letters to his family "back home." He wrote of constant
drilling to keep their skills sharp - of grabbing his gas mask "just in
time." He wrote of boarding a troop ship another country had left
abandoned in our New York Harbor. He wrote of the troops "feeding the
fishes" on the voyages to and from France. He requested these letters
be saved. They have been...along with his diary. I've read them. They
are 97 years old - faded, yet still legible.
He wrote of being able to dry out his wet socks. He wrote of a French
family feeding them at their table - of having a bath and "dressing for
dinner" - white dress shirt and good pants. He wrote of having his
"legs under a table" and a leisurely meal - hot food - good food. He
wrote of playing baseball - the red team against the blue team.
He wrote of seeing a famous US aristocratic family's son's plane crash.
Their son was the pilot. He said he'd pass on taking a piece of the
wreckage as a souvenir. He said he hoped to be a "souvenir" and make it
home alive and well.
I've pondered the above and more - for a few years now. I've wondered
what was so important to the Author that his diary and letters be kept.
To be sure - it gave his daughter and three granddaughters a chance to
know him. Without the written memoirs - they would have had no
clue...people at that time did not speak of the war and the damage it
wrought - you "sucked it up" and kept living. But - I think there's
more to it.
As I write this - Nov. 10 - tomorrow it Veteran's Day. And I think I
understand the Author's request as to saving the words he had written.
1917 was a different "age" - if you will. A man lived by a clear cut
set of morals and an allegiance to the US that were unbreakable. A real
man pulled his share of the load - at home or at war. You did not run -
to Canada - or anywhere. He wrote of penning letters to "Kind, Unknown
Friends." They were usually people from your home state. It was a way
to keep everyone involved in "fighting the war" - emotional, physical,
etc.
And like a link...past-to-present..nearly 100 years old - I think he'd
say - "Not all I endured was bad. I met some good people. But, there's
no place like the US - home! I think he'd say thank you to all the
people who have served since 1917 - man or woman - in whatever
capacity. I think he would say thank you to those who wrote
letters...and prayed. Mostly, I think he would say he was just "doing
his job" when people thanked him for his service. It's what men do."
And - I agree. To all you Vets out there who have served - thank you!
To the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice - thank
you...and I am so sorry for your loss. To Daniel W. - thank you for
writing the diary and letters...for writing in the dark.. for finding
the courage to keep going...for showing hope in what looked like no
hope. Maybe that's your real message - "As long as we are
alive...there's hope. Hope for change and peace."
Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the
furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next
time. Ever Toodles!! MONA
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