Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-10
OF COURSE YOU CAN'T
RESIST THIS LETTER
Even Though 1t Doesn't Mem
ton Christmas for Boys
of the 315th
YOU CAN MAKE 1T MERRY
Chip in Your Bit After Reading
How This Young Philadel-
phian Is Doing His

Here's a letter from man in the
315th Infantry. at Camp Meade. the
regiment which is made up exclusively
of Philadelphia boys. The whole regi-
ment is going to get together for
Christmas jollifcation in camp. day
or two before Christmas, for only hair
of the 5000 men are going to get leave
10 go home for the holiday. The ques-
ton now before the people of Ph!iadel-
phia is: Are these 1900 Philly boys to
have that party without any presents
from the city they represent?
Two thousand dollars is sought by the
committee which will buy gift for
each man In the regiment--not a big
gift, but one that will let each man
know that Philadelphia remembers him.
The committee has already received
about s400. 1t needs $1,000 morA--in
dimes. quarters. dollar bills or by check.
Send your money to the West End Trust
Company. marking it "for the 315th
Infantry Christmas Fund"
In the meantime here's this letter from
one of the privates in the regiment to
friend of his. here In Philadelphia. You
will notice he says nothing about the
Christmas party. But his spirit Is one
that ought to make you glad that such
chaps represent you In the nations serv-
ice. This is what he says:
My Dear Lous-This Is the first
opportunity have had to tell you of
my one months experience as a re-
cruit at Camp Meade.
First of all, OIL top. that after you
leave Broad Street Station for the
camp, you enter, in few hours, an
entirely new world" Conditions
here are vastly different than in civil
life,
My company. d, has a splendid stan
Of officers, and truly, Louis, they
treat us pure white"
Many of the boys before they
"joined the colors" were used to the
ultra -niccties of civil life, but here one
must acclimate himself to an entirely
different environment.
Under military law, the greatest
factor Is discipline. IL man is obe-
dent, uses a little initiative and is on
the alert. why. Lou. he is bound to
make success as "A soldier.
You know how attached was to my
home, set honestly tell you that each
and every day has been a happy one
for me- Naturally, there are men
who come down here with one thought
in mind, 'I'll not like This place and
never will" Well, Lou, they started
wrong. If these very men kept upper
h.c'b III tliSli llidl lulS " De
their future home and that they will
like it-they're bound to be contented.
| It's all up 10 ones state of mind. and
| assure you, Lou, / have djusted
mine from the very start.
l hear that there has been some
comment as TO our eats" Lou take
tip from me and throw this talk to
the -four winds" OF course. we don't
always get the kind of food we used
In hat l,, t.,
| substantial. No men go away from
the table unsatisfied.
From a. m. to 10 r. m. we're on
the 60. and drilling forms the greater
| part of our work. While we encounter
at times undesirable tasks. yet have
no doubt in my mind that the benefits
derived from drilling will result to
our great advantage, both mentally
| and physically. .. +.
Several DAYS a week we have a regi-
mental parade. Lou, II you would only
see the boys marching across the huge
| field Of ours. hear our dear national
anthem In the distance, why, you in
stinctively throw your shoulders back.
| head erect. and you feel as though you
were ready to go into battle.
don't care how little patriotism
there Is In man when he first comes
| down here II he reviews these parades
from time to time there Is bound to be
| instilled In his system n vast amount
Of patriotic spirit. It's a wonderful
feeling. Louis.
hear that you'are contemplating
enlstlng. BY all means do so. There
is nothing that will make a man more
than army life at Camp Meade.
| ARDIE.
Now Send your contribution to the
regimental Christmas fund to the West
End Trust Company, Broad street and
South Penn square Or. IL you are pass
ing the EVENING PUBLIC LEDGER offices
leave it there and 1t will be forwarded
The boys at Camp Meade can't get home
remember!