New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-02-19

men, he said it is very good and Sc
we're but not serious bronchial colds
are their worst ailment, but their
medical treatment is excellent SO
mothers and fathers need not worry
on that score, he said The food Civ
en- the Connecticut men is also plen-
tiful and wholesome. For breakfast
they have oatmeal, coffee and meat
and their supper also consists of
meat and other acceptable eatableS.
OF course, he said, they do not always
get pie but ofttimes they do when the
cooks feel good and have the neces-
saIy ingredients. Sugar, while it is
scarce throughout France, IS sup
piled to the soldiers.
Taking up the moral side of the
soldiers life, DR.. Mel emphatically
denied the newspaper charges that
the men are ofttimes bad. He said
there is a surprising lack of diseases
resulting from immoral living and
for this reason the French people
have great respect for the American
soldier and welcome him into their
homes where they know he can be
trusted to respect the hospitality Of
fered. He also denied that there Is
drinking to excess among the Afner1-
can soldiers zone of the rarest sights
is to see an American soldier outside
Of Paris drunk" he said, and added
that he had not seen more than six
during his entire stay over there who
were unable to take care of them
selves. Paris, the speaker said, is a
place to corrupt the best. 1t is the
mecca for adventures from all over
the world and the relations Of these
and the visitor is as the moth and the
flame. However, he said, General
Pershing sees to it that the American
soldier does not get into Paris to fall
under the spell of these bad tempta-
tons. On the other hand, DR.. Mel
said, he did not wish to have his audi
ence think that he was holding up
the American soldiers as paragons of
virtue. 1t is a hard life and rough
life and the talk is straight to the
point and sometimes strong. But 1t
is a. mans life and a life that Will
bring out all the manhood in man.
He said that his own 10 years old
son is sover there and he does not
hesitate to say that he would prefer
to have him there than here for the
very reason that he thinks the int1u-
ences of his living there are such as
make him more of a mans man than
those here.
Cheer Up the Soldiers.
AS a closing word to the parents
and friends of the soldiers DR.. Mel
urged them not to neglect them. He
urged them to write regularly and
frequently and to send them things.
Among other things, he said send
them fruit cake, tobacco, plumbers
candles, candy and other such things
that SAVIOR of home life, as we'll as
tooth brushes and soap and other tot
let articles. He also advised them to
send an occasional newspaper and
take a, chance on its delivery but
Furthermore he urged the sending of
q magazinc such as the Saturday
Evening Post or some such paper that
can be rolled up, every week. Speak
ing of letters, he urged every parent
and friend to write CHEEKY let
ters full of optimism and news Of
home. Include clippings of interest
from the newspapers but do not write
anything about being lonesime or
wishing they could come home.
'',Those boys want to come home all
right They don't have to be told
of it. But they are over there hSht-
ing for you and for the principles OF
civilization, SO don't depress them by
letting them think you are unhappy
DR.. Mel said.
In conclusion he had a word for
the mothers and fathers in partlcu-
lar. Amidst this rough and hard mans
life of being a soldier each and every
one of the boys thinks OF nome,
mother, father, brother, friends. And
when they go to their beds each
night there is not a single soldier
over there but who, in memory, goes
back to his home across the sea and
joins in the little home circle. Also,
Dr. Mel said, there is not single
soldier there, he does not think but
who, before going to sleep, offers
mute prayer to his Creator in which
those back home are remembered
A vote of thanks and cooperation
was extended to DR.. Mel and follow
ing his address he greeted personally
many mothers and fathers of boys in
the service.
SERVICE FUND MAKES PLEA.