Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-28
MORE INVITATIONS
FOR THANKSGIVING
Supper and Theater Parties
as Well as Dinners Are Of
fered Men in Uniform.
HONOR FOR D. C. HOMES

HONOR FOR D. c. HOMES
Mr.. Enlisted Man: It will give the
housewife Of Washington honor to en-
terrain you at dinner on Thanksgiving
day. She invited you to enjoy the
hospitality Of her home at any hour
that suits your convenience. She will
serve dinner at whatever hour is most
convenient for you. Whether you wear
the uniform of soldier. a sailor or
a marine. she will recognize you as
her honored guest
This is in effect what the women of
Washington are saying to the mothers
boys in the service. the brave youth
Of the country, who have foregone the
comforts and endearment OF home to
fight for liberty. And on every din
ing room table this year there will
be flag, and beside the table there
swered the call to the colors"
The rapidity with which letters are
coming from the people of Washing
ton shows that they are going to Guido
themselves In hospitality in inviting
the service men to their homes Why,
some of those who at first invited one
soldier are now sending in other let
tiers saying that they will be glad to
have two. three or four.
Hope Idea Will Spread Over Nation.
The Secretary of War. the assistant
secretary of war, the chief of staff and
the adjutant general. the chairman of
the War Department commission on
training camp activities have all made
public expression of their appreciation
of the whole-hearted and patriotic zeal
of the people of Washington to enter
tain the men in uniform. They have
said that they hope the good example
set by the National Capital will spread
far beyond it. especially in the COM
munities adjacent to the environments
and training camps.
And even better than the expression
Of appreciation comes the practical ex-
ample. Gen. Tasker H. Bliss, the high
est ranking officer of the United States
Army, senior in rank even to Gen.
Pershing, who is leading the American
forces in France. is to entertainment
officers. but at least two enlisted men
at his own table on that day.
This is the same spirit that is shown
everywhere in the city. but this is
notable example. Besides the heart
interest letters that have been pub
lished in The Star and besides the lists
Of other hostesses that have been pub
lished, there are scores of the most
prominent people in the city who are
going to withhold invitation to dinner
this year from their customary guests
and send them instead to groups Of
soldiers. sailors and marines.
Stay to Supper, Some Write.
Some of those who are inviting men
from the camps about Washington are
suggesting that they would like a
couple of soldiers at their table every
g. hos nj / u
on Thanksgiving day. say Come TO
dinner and stay to supper" Stil! others
are saying: 1--WE want you for our
dinner guest and hope you will accom-
pany US to the theater later some
are arranging dancing parties ana an
are planning to give the man In uni,
form such q good time that he Will
forget he is far from home
In certain neighborhoods young WON
en- are making a canvass Of their
entertain soldiers. so that they can
have a large crowd of friends from the
same company make the trip out to-
gether for company sake. Groups of
girls and young matrons are clubbing
together, so that they can invite
number of boys who are good pals"
Soldier Guests Clubs Formed.
Various departments of the govern
ment service are already taking an in
terest in the home hospitality idea and
are forming soldier guest" clubs.
Churches and other organizations are
arranging for dinners for large groups
of those who would feel more at home
in a gathering of their fellows than
where they might feel in their EN- par
rassment that they might spill some
chicken soup or some giblet sauce on
the table.
And vet, the housewives have been
thoughtful enough to discount any fears.
hary al "
Tell the boys We won't care If they do
drop something on our clean linen
One of the most touching experiences
happened this evening when mother.
who had sent in a letter asking that
some lonesome boy be sent to her to
substitute on the great home dinner day
for her own son. received postcard pic
ture of an artilleryman who said he
would be glad to let her. mother" him
while he is here in Washington waiting
to be sent over there" His own mother
had died when he was young, and he
said he would go into the fight better
man knowing that some good woman
cared for him as her own SON"
Breathe Spirit of Service.
How the Thanksgiving spread is to
be prepared over the fires of patriotism
ia shown in the letters that are COM
ing in with every mail. Each batch of
letters brings some new idea for the
Measure and comfort of the guests in
uniform, each breathes some new mes
sage Of pride in the youth of the coun-
try who are going to fight the battles
of liberty.
A mothers heart pours out to some
other mothers son the care she cannot
give to her own dear boy who is over !
there" or with the fleet. wherever that
is" A sister boasts of her brothers /
who have answered the call to the col /;
ors and wants a chance to tell some !
other nice boy in uniform about them. |
Little children write that their parents |
have granted them permission to in |
wife some soldiers to dinner. Each |
host is planning something particular |
ly nice for the youth in uniform. some |
times it is a warm bath (Which the |
soldier will gratefully appreciated, :
again 1t is a dance with some nice |
girls of the neighborhood in to play |
the piano and sing.
Some few Of the letters received are |
here printed in part SO that the peo-
Pile of Washington may see how their |
neighbors are showing the soldier. /
sailor and marine that they know he |
is a nice boy and want him to make
himself at home with them-in many
Ut CEn WITH