The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1917-12-20

Camp Funston, Kansas, Dec. 9th.
"Home Folks, Julesburg, Colo. -
Tonight as came off guard duty
find in my mail card from the Edi-
tor of the Grit-Advocate, asking for a
short letter, which might or might not
interest the "Home Folks" at large.
l will write, however, as l always
look forward with the greatest of in
terest for letters from home, so will
try and do what l can to keep pace
with you folks at home.
Army life is not all sunshine and
roses, but success in battle, the ulti-
mate view in military training, can
be gained by nothing easily acquired
OF course we have some times which
would be envied by even those at
home in the way of joy and happiness.
! will try and tell you of both as far
as can.
AS was telling you, l have just
came off of guard duty. l think all
of you konw just what this means,
especially in unfavorable weather and
at night. Last night it was very cold,
the wind blowing and snow flying.
Marching up and down ones post with
a gun over his shoulder in such wea-
| ther is not exactly what you would
| call one of our pleasures, but it is
in measure a great help to us. To
adapt oneself to his task will make US
better soldiers and America wants the
best.
This war is war of specialists and
to each one of US it means to become
proficient in not only one thing but
all things. The success of this war
means that every man must give all
he has to become proficient in all that
he might be called upon to do. To this
end, our training is leading US. Each
days finds the work more interesting
and more difficult. cannot tell in
detail just what comes up but our
daily training covers physical and
mental exercises. Brute strength
could never win a war nor could super
ior knowledge and cunningness with
out the force. You can see that
to be good soldier you must not only
have the physical strength but must
have iniative.
Our physical exercises cover a
course such as no other athelete is
ever given. To do all things equally
well we must develope our body in
every way. 1t makes little difference
if one is requested to lay in one posi-
tion all day or do the most strenuous
physical tasks, it all requires that we
have the strength to meet the de-
mands.
In our mental training we must be
able to grasp situation when pre-
sented to us and to use iniative in
gaining an advantage that might be to
our benefit.
We have our school here to give US
this training in which we work out
war problems which are given to US.
To deliver the punch and deliver it
just a little before the other fellow
means success to US and we are all
working hard to gain knowledge which
will make our Country what we all
want her to be. America has al
ways been first and am sure she al
will be. The principles of this nation
are equaled by no nation-and l am
sure that when this war is over the
contact the world has had with US will
be felt by all nations and serve as a
Savior to all humanity. d,
u A soldier enjoys many privileges
10 9th o,l l..
, ourselves in enjoying these privileges.
Probably very few of you know
, what it is to stand retreat. Well, will
try and tell you as best can.
At five o'clock P. M. the bugle
sounds retreat. You see the men fill
ing out of their barracks with their
, guns and dressed in their best, dress.
ed neatly, shoes shined and stand re.
treat to the flag. Its like this: In
civil life, maybe you worked to sup.
port your mother. You worked all
day in some office, shop, farm OF
some where else. In the evening YOU
come home tired and hungry. The
first thing you do is to clean up and
prepare for supper. You go to your
mother and say: "Well mother, l
worked hard all day and IN hungry
Is supper ready?"
Now in the army you do the same
thing. The flag floating to the
breeze is Just the same as your
mother. 1t stands for the country
that is the mother of us all.
Each day finds US doing work which
teaches us ways to take care of our