Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-21
NEWSPAPER MAN
WRITES HIS PAPER
Includes Letter from Soldier
Telling of Experiences
in Camp.

G. Fred Ritter, of the 109th Machine
Gun Battalion, is a Pennsylvania news
paper man. Mr. Ritter was a reporter
on the Allentown Democrat and letters
from his facile pen are sent to the
Democrat frequently. A recent letter
to his paper is of more than ordinary
interest and Mr.. Ritter believes it will
be of interest to readers of Trench and
Camp. Here it is:
(By c. Fred Ritter)
Camp Hancock, Ga.-Ju5t how the
soldiers appreciate the work being ac-
complished by the war service branch
Of the Y. M G. A is brought out best
in letters to home folks. Very sell
dom are these brought to the publics
eye, but today there was a Pennsyl-
vania mother in camp visiting her son
and / had the pleasure of meeting this
lady-the proud mother of three sons
in Uncle Sans army that will crush
Germans despots and autocrats who
seem to think they are guided by Thor.
One subject led to another ana then
the work of the army Y. M. G. A. was
brought up. TIE lady then proudly ex-
hibited a letter from her son, and said
that she was following his wish in his
home town, Butler, Pa. I am sure the
boys from Allentown appreciate the
work of the Y. M, G. A. as much as |
do and consequently 1 asked her to
copy the letter to send to Allentown.
The letter follows:
109th Machine Gun Battalion.
Camp Hancock. Ga.
Nov. q, 1917
Several days age. I saw an item in the
paper about Y. NJ G, A. fund for army
raising this fund l wish you would do
anything within your power.
In short the Army 7. NJ. G.; A. is a
rendezvous for the soldier. Whether in
the tent, or shack it accomplishes the
same purpose j. e. place to read, write
or spend few hours in recreation or fun.
No matter how comfortable fellows
tent is, he occasionally wishes to spend a
few hours in different atmosphere and
q Y. M. c. A. is the ideal place.
In the following paragraphs are few
of the big items on their list of free Sery
ice to the soldier. Time is too limited to
tell of all the little things accomplished
such as personal work by the secretaries
assistants and co-worlSers.
AS a poStoffice the Army Y M. G. A,
has great popularity-StampS, money or
ders, etc. are sold, checks and money
orders cashed. Stationery is furnished in
abundance and does not cost the soldier
a cent. 1t is the one place he can al
ways depend upon, He has complete con-
fidence that he can get what he wants
when he wants it.
Home town papers are kept up to date
and there is a library consisting of his
torical, religious and fiction works, not
mentioning the many magazines.
BY means of<an index of every man all
fraternity brothers are brought together.
That is mighty good thing. When it
comes to entertainments, we couldn't do
without the Y NJ. c. A. Regarding edu-
cational work, | must commend their
tireless workers who try to teach us
French
Oh. yes, we go to school and church in
the Y. M. c. A. During church services
as rule SO many are there that some
must stand outside. So, you see. you
must pat the. soldier on the back for
going to church. even, when they do not
have the home folks to urge them. How,
ever, please remember that there must be
an attraction to bring so many men into
a church.
Regarding athletics. I'll tell you about
this battalion consisting of three COM.
panies of which Im inspector instructor
The Y NJ. c. A. furnished us equipment
| for baseball, basketball, football, soccer,
volley ball and indoor baseball. Also box
| ing gloves
Because there are three of us in the
army I knew you would be interested to
know of the work of such an organization
and know it will cause you no end of com
fort to know of the work being done.
Your loving son,
/ HENRY.