The Coconino sun., 1917-06-29
ADVICE TO THE
 FOLKS AT HOME
By MAJOR JOHN T. ANTON, LISA.
 CHAPLAIN

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 following article which is very yalu-
 able piece of advice and those having
 friends at the front should study the
 following article very carefully. l The first few weeks in camp are the
 hardest for the young soldier. It is a
 violent wrench from home life and
 normal social ties to camp conditions
 with tent life, radical changes of food,
 limited bathing facilities, stiff drill
 and rigid discipline.
 To tide the lad over this period
 home folks may help very materially.
 His mail is the big thing for the boy
 in camp. Each day send him some greeting or some love token, be it ever so small. The problem of laundry is
 sometimes difficult, so send him a handkerchief today, and a pair of good socks tomorrow and repeat now and then. He has a sweet tooth satisfy it with candy and chocolates in small lots only, each piece wrapped in oiled paper that it may not reach him sticky mess. He will chew gum on march, which helps him to refrain from drinking too much water and from dipping into his lunch or ration; this also has a tendency to make him smoke much less and keep him from taking up the habit of chew ing tobacco. He will after little experience, take pure chocolate with him on hike, as it seems to keep a man up better than other food, and is easily carried.
 His tent is not lighted, so if you can provide small pocket flashlight you may solve the problem of him finding things at night. Because bath ing facilities are sometimes very lim- ited, good big bath sponge is appre- ciated and you may follow it with cake of good soap and towel now and then.
 It is hard to get to the postoffice and pennies for postage may be few, so send him book of stamps. He likes to read, so mark the interesting items in the home paper, and with it send him an occasional magazine or illustrated weekly. Bound books are not usually desired in camp.
 
 He needs all of the ordinary toilet articles, but do not send talcum pow der, tooth paste, shaving cream, razor blades, tooth brush and soap all on the same day-an item each mail is better. Put small package of court plaster in your next letter. He has been in the sun and a little mentho- lathum or camphorice will soothe his parched lips.
 He will enjoy testament or prayer book, and especially one of the khaki bound ones that may be secured from the American Bible Society. If he did not take his watch and you can afford a cheap wrist watch, send it. A pair of heavy tan laces to replace worn ones that permit his shoes to be slop- py. A tiny, good hand shaving mirror. A pipe-not expensive--and tobacco. Send tobacco in tins. Half a dozen blanket safety pins and as many or dinary large safety pins are among the handiest things in his kit. Two or three small wash rags--a sort that | can be easily cleaned in small l amount of water and that do not take too long to dry.
 Parcel post solves the problem of sending small packages safely. Ad- dress plainly and fully with the num- Der of his regiment and the letter of his company, troop or battery and delivery is almost absolutely assured, though he moves from place to place very often. Insure the more valuable articles, it costs but trifie.
 Now, do not put it all in one bundle as being the easiest way, but string 1t put over days and weeks so that he will learn to listen most eagerly for mail call" It is pathetic to note the number of men in the service to whom the arrival of mail means nothing. Carelessness or wrongdoing separates hem from home and loved ones so hey get no mail. Do not let the sol Her man from your home circle be of his group.