The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-12-13
CHRISTMAS FOR OUR
BOYS IN KHAKI

1t is almost certain that the Flor
ida regiment will be on the border
during the Christmas holidays, and
cur people should do all they can to
make the boys feel that they are re-
membered at home.
The glamor of soldering has worn
off, the new scenes of the border
have become stale, and the young men
have settled down to realization of
what a grim, monotonous task sol
dler's life is.
Let US do all we can to brighten
this Christmas season for them, and
send to them as large share of
home happiness as we can possibly
place in their hands.
Comparatively few Of our people
realize the task to which that thin
brown line of men is bodnd, let alone
the one it may have to essay before
Ianother Christmas comes.
This country balances uneasily on
the rim of a world convulsed by war.
Only wise and firm craftsmanship
can keep US out-and have we that
And if we have not, no man can say
what day the boys who were with us
last Christmas, may be the forlorh
hopes, the Horatios to hold the
bridges, till the nations might can
awake. How many of them there
would be left by that time we can
judge by the reports that came back
from the first armies of Britain that
went into the battle storm in France
twenty-eight months ago, and who
with other armies raised since then
have marched into the Valhalla OF
men who die for their native lands.
The patriotism of the volunteer sol
der is the supreme test of manhood,
and Marion county in particular
should be proud that so many of its
sens were ready when the testWas ap-
piled.
Let US send them as many good
things as possible, so that on Christ
mas day they may feast as well as if
they were at home
The postofice department is fur
nishing a strong and reliable bridge
between the folks at home and their
soldier boys, and not only the little
tokens of love and friendship, but
larger packages of good things to
eat and comfortable things to wear,
if within the weight limits of the par
cells post, will make the journey in
tact. Larger boxes and packages
must go by express, but that soulless
corporation, the Southern Express
company, is mighty reliable, and will
carry almost anything smaller than
an elephant to the Second Florida
Infantry" We suggest sending the
boys as many oranges as possible
they are probably not any too plenti-
ful around Laredo. There are several
orange growers in Marion county
each of whom could afford to send a
box Of the golden globes to Company
IA
Dainty boxes of cake and candy, if
carefully wrapped, will go thru all
right. Pipes and tobacco are always
welcome to the soldier, unless he
doesn't smoke, in which case he can
give them to somebody else. Hand
kerchiefs, socks and Undertaking
are likely to be appreciated If your
boy plays cards-and it's almost GER
tain he does-slip him in a pack, for
the old one is probably worn out. And
so on, with everything that love or
friendship can dictate and pay for,
and that the mail and express can car
ry. Perhaps they may have to move
the day after the things are received,
and throw some of them away, but
they will do them a lot of good while
they have them. Mustn't demand of a
soldier that he keep anything but his
arms and his presence of mind.
And remember soldier always
needs money, so if you can spare lit
tie money, or little more, send it to
your boy. True, he may receive it on
Christmas eve only to lose it shoot
ing craps on Christmas day. But he
may lose his life trying to keep the
Flower Flag" aloft before another
holiday season, so try to insure him a
little pocket change On the most fes-
tive day of the year
Whatever you send the boys should
be mailed or shipped by the 21st. for
it takes about three days to make the
trip.
Let Florida remember the Second
Infantry, and Marion county remem-
Der Company A.