Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-12-28
LETTER FROM FRANCESAYS He WAS ROBBED
4Alexaudria Boy Writes From Over
There" of Thoughts Concerning
His Old Home City,

The editor OF the Gazette received
the following letter this morning FROM
an Alexandria boy in France which,
will be read with interest by friends
in this city:
r'Somewnerc in France"
December 18th. 1917.
Dear friend Mr.. Hard:
Just about three months ago 1t
was my pleasure TO start OF q voy-
age, the outcome Of which is my pres
ence with the American Epedition-
ary Forces on active duty in France.
10 say that ! am perfectly contente:i
on this side of the river" is putting
Z mildly the State OF mind Of every
American Soldier that I have met
since my arrival "Over Here. When
was back in the States (you know.
.The States" is 4 quite common way
of describing the United States these
days 'Ovcr Hcrc"). when thinking or
some of the alexandria hoyS who had
arrived in France / used to picture
dear old France as being far, s:r
away but now aln OF IN cntirc;y
different frame Of mind. Instead C.!
feeling that the great space Of three
or four thousand miles is separating
me from ''thc town | left behind. /
have the pleasant dciusion Of tnin:7-
ing that am on one side Of Hurt-
ing Greek and Alexandria IS on The
other-the only difference being that
the time necessary to cross "ocea,lic'
Hunting Creek is now somewhat
heightened. With reference to my dc
lusion, | mast admit that I am really
proud Of it; with it am able to ac-
ssomplish things which otherwise
Iswopla have to forcgo enjoying. For
Instance, with the assistance Of 'Ai".
fivid Imagination I am almost able
ko see the old town iiusa as ] used to+
kfo when | was back: there. | can, as i !,
Nere. see our traffic policemen np7'2
Fthe "r,cs", tho jitley. street-cleancf
Eand what not? And, too, have mcE-
Etal pictures Of the crowded cars pl:-
Ping between Alexandria and Wash
carrying the hundreds nf
Alexandria ''Mademoiselles' who arc
now tranquil holders OF government
tai positions ranging anywhere from
the cne-thousand-dollar specie to the
tweive-hundred- dollar caste.
l often wonder now the city really
looks these days when so many
changes are taking place IN al paf1s
Of the world Now since q good num-
Der OF the Alexandria boys have gone
in. training, Alexandria must look d
little "s!i!n" in comparison 10 the
s'days that We're" From the accounts
nf my friends Alexandria must have
been somewhat gloomy on the cay
when the Alexandria Light Infantry
left for the south. However, the Alex
andria people and the boys look for
ward to the great day When thc
American Army shall prove rictori-
Gus and when the boys OF the Light
Infantry can proudly march down the
nd boulevard, 30 tendcrly known |
TO Us "a King Street" amid viii
acciamat;oNs Of the aopulaee. On thar
anv. the students of history will re-
call what they read about uhc great
return Of Napoleon after the most
famous Of his battles. Whatever the
;rials % those who have left home
NAV DO the .u'2,re joy Of home-oom-
ino. will oycr-halanec any of the hard
ehios that may possibly be endured.
Yes that day will beyond shadoS
cc = doubt be the happiest day that
the p1oplr ot Alexandria have expert
,ncsd foG. q long time. Even now, |
can see Tie people waiting around
Henry Street OF Fayette Street Tor
the tram carrying the bows back.
We'll. Old friend. we are kept pretty
busr over mere these days, and ver?
seldom do | gcr q chance TO write.
Drop ne a linn soon and let me kno"
how every little thing is going.
WITH best wishes. remain. very
slrfcercly,
Z Francis II. Fannon,
Care Chief Sf"nal Officer. T.. OF G.,
American Expedit,onary Forces.