Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1918-10-16
Letter From James O. SheP.
pard.

Letter From James ~. SheP-
pard.
Headquarters Services of Supply.
Tours, France, September II, 1918
Editor Edgefeld Advertiser.
Edgefeld, S. c.
My Dear Mr.. Minis:
Some time Ego the editor OF Inc
Edgefeld Chronicle was kind enough
to give me a little space IN which to
send greetings to the good people OF
u county, and a few of my impress
sions of this country and its interest
ing and brave people and now L
trust that l may take the liberty OF
imposing on you-for a few words
in reference to the great work that
the Y. NJ. C. A, Red Cross, Salvation
Army, Knights of Columbus and 9TH
err organizations are doing for u
soldiers.
The other night l went to the Y.
NJ. C. A. to see the movies" and
there was flashed on the screen a re-
quest that all soldiers write their
home people about the Y. NJ. c. A.
and its work-whether their letters
be of praise or adverse criticism. l
could find no words to criticize this
noble organization, or any of them
they are all doing wonderful work
and they deserve the unanimous sup
port of our people at home.
1 understand that the Y. N. c. A.
will soon begin a drive for funds. l
need not express the hope that Edge
field county will respond with its
share-I know it villas it has ever
done in any and all public enterprls-
eS.
Unfortunately I have been unable
to observe the operations OF this or
c~anization on the extreme front tor
it has not been my privilege to go
there, but l have seen what 1t has
done here, and if the appreciation OF
the soldiers may be taken as an lndl-
cation of it's worth, then the organl-
cation merits support.
Here there are. several Y. N. c. AS
for soldiers and oflcers-perIect I'D
ertv halls-where n q spend
pleasant evenings, hear good music,
see good pictures and theatrical per-
formances and enjoy good meals, The
popularity of these clubs is attested
by the fact that they are simply
crowded all of the time, in the day by
the casuals passing through the city
and at night by the soldiers who work
at the various headquarters. 1t Is a
good feeling TO know that in the ev-
ening when you are tired you have a
place to go where you can make your
self at home and rest; those of US
who have experienced army work can
best realize this.
He who contributes to the Y. NJ. G.
A. makes no mistake; he IS AIDING
some soldier who is many miles from
home.
The Red Cross or the Croix Rouge
as the French call it, does equally
great work; they have great hospi-
tails where the wounded and sicE.are
treated. They have established spec
ial hospitals where the finest surgl-
cal skill is employed and to these hos
nitals are sent men who have received
injuries that would incapacitate them
for life-if they should live-if they
did not get special treatment. For ex-
ample it is not uncommon now for
the surgeons to give a mar a new
nose made from a joint of a finger
or a steel jaw frame. 1t is only IN
such hospitals hat this can be car
ried on.
The Red Cross has also established
a bureau of communication between
the soldiers and their families; they
are glad to answer all inquiries as
to the location Of the wounded, miss
ing, etc. This merits commentator
and support.
In speaking Of the work Of this or