The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-11-13
Y. N. c. A. At 0EvENs
Bennington Boy Describes Its Aetiv-
ties at Big Camp.

In furthering the local campaign
for the big Y. NJ. c. A. fund of $685.
900 900, Secretary H. A. Wilkinson of
the local association has written to
some of the Bennington boys in the
service and has received some exceed
ingly interesting replies. Among
them is the following from Goodall
Hutton, a Bennington young man who
attempted TO enlist in the first Yer
mont, who failed TO pass the examin-
ations and who is now with the ma
tional army at Camp Devens:
Camp Devens. Nov. 3, 1917. T
Dear Mr. Wilkinson;
received your letter asking for in
formation about the Y NJ. G. A. work
here in camp and as did not see you
when | was home, am writing II to
you. "9t aE.
Our brigade has two buildings, one
for the 30l and 302 Field Artillery
regiments and one for the 30S regi-
ment. The buildings have no GYM
nasiums. as soldier gets enough ex'
ercse in his marching and calisthen-
les. The whole energy is expended
on the social and religious questions
and on providing things which are
necessary but hard TO get The
buildings are heated and here heat is
luxury
Every evening enormous quantities
of paper envelopes, ink and pens are
given ont If one wishes to get a
place to sit and write, he must come
early, for the building is generally
nearly full by els There are great
many files of newspapers and maga-
zines kept and quite few books. II
soldier wants to send parcel. he
is given wrapping paper and twine
(Which would be otherwise impossible
to get). and he can buy his stamps
here. Three or four times a week
free movies are shown One or two
evenings a week religious service
are held They are very different
from those at home. Generally the
sermon or talk deals with some phase
of the life here and is forceful and al
ways interesting.
Probably the best spirit in the
world is shown here in the social
part. Anyone who thinks he can
buck-dance is given music. the stage
and an audience Likewise anyone
who sings or recites is asked to per-
form. An orchestra has been formed,
there is a victrola with some fine re.
cords, and if man has favorite
song or piece, he can always find a
piano player who will play it for him,
The Y. NJ. c. A. is nearly the only
place of amusement here and there
| is always something doing at 1t. If
| you cannot find man in his bunk
room, look for him at the Y NJ. c. A.
| for nearly every soldier is at the
! building nearly every evening.
The Y. NJ. C. A. is regarded as a
| necessity here and everyone hopes
| that the $35,000,000 will be raised. 1t
seems to me that the best way TO help
the soldiers is to give to the Y. Nj. G.
| A.. for the following reason: Every
| soldier uses the Y NJ. G.. A. and is
| brought in contact with its friendli
ness and helping-hand spirit. The
| work of the Y. M. c. A. is being done
by no other organization The Y, NJ
C. A. is right in the field. it sees and
appreciates the needs OF the army and
is doing its utmost for the soldiers
After the soldiers come back from the
war, they will appreciate the Y. NJ. c
A. more.
In the space of a half minute have
seen Greeks, Austrians. Hungarians
Poles, Jews, Italians, French-Cana
dians and native sons in the GROVE
that is always here. | wish that yot
could see rather busy evening here
This building has to care for about
5000 men. and you can imagine thu
Y. NJ. c. A. with that membership
would be lively.
! will write you more if there Is
anything special that you would like
to know about.
Sincerely yours,
Goodall Hutton