The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-06-09
Y. M. C.. A. WORK
WITH SOLDIERS
Lee County to Have Share In Associa.
tlon Endeavors During War
Tribute to Work Done
on Border.

Lee county's share of the huge Y.
M. c. A. war fund will be used for
work among the United States SOL
diers in camp, whether in this country
Tor France, similar to the work done
on the Mexican border.
| The following tribute to the asso-
citation work on the border was paid
| by Roman Catholic chaplain to the
men of his regiment at the Y. NJ. C. A.
building on the day OF their departure
| from the border to go home:
And now, men, would not be deal
| ing fairly with you were to close this
| farewell service without expressing
in your behalf our heartfelt thanks
and deep appreciation to the Y. NJ. c.
A. for its numberless kindnesses and
untold helpfulness. 1t is one friend
that has never failed us; that has
never found difficulties too great II
there was any chance to help us; that
has never left us even when we
thought it would have been justified
when we left the state camp and
started for the border we felt we had
parted from our last friends. We had
left everything friendly back at home
Can you remember our surprise when
we found that right there on the train
we were already being taken in hand
by the Y. M. C.. A. They were right
on the Job In the very beginning to
cheer us and help us.
But. we thought to ourselves, they
will leave US when We reach the Dor
der. There will be none Of these
kindnesses there. But we were mis-
taken. For there was the Y. NJ. C. A.
ready to serve us and meet our needs
as long as We were to be there.
"Then orders came for a long, long
hike and changing Of camp location.
Well, we would have to give up the
Y. NJ. now. 1t was absolutely unreas-
enable to even think of their being
able to do anything for us on long
drawn out. dusty hike like that But
not so. For the very hrst day out we
were cheered by seeing the Y. NJ sec.
rotary hiking right along with us.
And we were glad to know that one
of the trucks was carrying stationery
and other Y M. conveniences for us.
And the next, camp in which we
finally settled! Absolutely God-for-
saken hole! Even the sugar fer
mented there. OF course there would
be no Y. M. C. A. in that place. But
as / was walking around the camp a
little later / asked What are those
tents over there? The largest ones in
the camp And the answer was ooh,
they are the Y NJ. C. A. tents" And
sure enough they were. And the Y.
M. stayed there, willing to bear
hardships with us in order to be of
service to us.
Then we moved to the next site.
And they welcomed US with open
arms. concert the very first night
and helpfulness and delights ever
since.
"But now our border service is
over and it is time to start back home.
Do you think the Y NJ. G.. A will leave
us now? No, sir. Just late this after
noon / received telegram from our
local association saying they will be
glad to welcome us home. Their |
building is open for our use. And |
they will assist every man of the out |
fit in getting Job and settling back !
to HIS useful civilian life.
Men, they have been our friends. /
In your behalf want to thank them |
with all my heart. They haven't ask |
ed us our special brand of religion
but they've welcomed us all and tried /
TO help us all. I have felt at home /
in holding mass in the association I
building and we have enjoyed our Ro- |
man Catholic services here every Sun
day morning just as the professionals |
have enjoyed theirs in the evening.
The Y. NJ. c. A. has been a Godsend
TO the men on the border"