The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1918-03-15
ATHENA SOLDIERS
WRITE TO FRIENDS

Mayor Watts hands US another letter
of absorbing interest, received this
week from DR.. Plamondon, which we
are pleased to share with our readers.
What the doctor has to say concerning
the Y. M. C. A. and the Red Cross,
is inspiring, in face of the coming
drives; and in appreciation Of the local
activities in that line, is gratifying
and encouraging. His letter follows:
France, Feb. IL, 1918.
"Today's mail brought me eighteen
letters from the States, and among
them was delighted to find your very
welcome and newsv letter, cf Dec 26th
1917, and few days ago the big box
of smokes arrived. Needless to say,
l appreciate them all and thank you
heartily for your thoughtfulness.
"Many of my Athena friends and
patients have remembered me since /
have been over here and quite often
get the home news--for Athena
still seems like home to me.
81 can we'll imagine that by this
time the people realize that this is a
gigantic struggle and will take much
time, many men and fabulous amount
of money to bring it to successful
end, and l fear many hearts will be
saddened before it is over. | hope
that we will be able te muster all the
forces we need from unmarried men
and not have to pay the price France
has already paid in men and property.
There are no young men here except
those in the army, and in every town
or city / have been in here / have seen
many, many widows, and families de-
pleted of men.
"As l have written you before. l
have been 'billeted' all winter with
French families and the intimate
knowledge l have gained of their con-
dition and ideals, convinces me that
France is not disheartened and has
abundant resources to carry on her
part to successful end.
"You speak of the Y. M. G. A. and
Red Cross. have noted in the papers
of the liberal donations made by Ath-
ena and vicinity and would like to as
sure you, from the observation of one
actually on the ground, that the ~.
is the soldiers very best friend over
here, and that the Red Cross is doing
work that has never been surpassed.
l believe that every dollar contributed
to these organizations is properly ex-
| pended and that they are helping won.
derfully to shorten the time to victory.
"When you give to these societies
you certainly are doing bit that yor
yourself can perhaps not appreciate
but for which every enlisted man ant
officer will thank you from the bottom
of his heart.
"The mild winter in Oregon has beer
duplicated here. Farmers have beer
blowing for at least three weeks. gar.
dens are in and trees budding SO the
big Spring drive will soon be on.
81 would like to tell you a lot about
our forces over here and what has beer
and is being done; but you know
can't do that, and anyway, you prob
ably know more about it than do, for
remember that even before left Ath'
ena the proper way to conduct this wal
was settled many times by the usua
crowd around the store stoves.
/ 1--WE are ready for our part, ant
while we are doing that, don't forget
to send me line or two occasionally
Remember me to everyone, and will
kind regards to you both, am; sin
cerely, Jas D. Plamondon,
| F. A., 1877, San. Tr., lit, A. E. F..