Norwich bulletin., 1918-06-27
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Appreciates Local Y. M. c. A. Work

Appreciates Local Y. M. c. A. Work.
 Mir. Editor: Allow me through the columns of your valuable paper, to say just few words Of appreciation and express my thanks for the treat
 nent afforded me at the hands of the r. NJ. C. 4. of Norwich on Sunday last.
 Being stationed at Fort Terry, one of Uncle Sarn's coast dcfenses just south of New London, Conn, together
 with several hundred other Illinois boys, it was my good fortune to be in your fair city on the date above mentioned, and in the afternoon at tended a very interesting programme
 given at the I. M C. A Tie meeting
 was a regular get together event for
 the sailors and soldiers of the vari- GUS camps nearby, and from what learn, will be a regular Sunday fea- ture.
 Edwin Hill, the efficient and con- genial secretary of the Norwich as- sociation, presided at the meeting. His opening remarks were followed by sing directed by J. II. Ely, l boys worker and day secretary, who
 will soon leave for France to take up the Red Triangle work abroad. Fol- lowing the song service Fl. 4. Tirren, principal Of the Norwich Free Acad-
 emy, was introduced and gave a brief but very impressive talk. Following the programme dainty luncheon was served by the good la dies of the Park Congregational church, which touched the spot in ev- cry sense of the word. Swahn's or chestra furnished the music for the song service and all told it was an 1rf AZ for the sixty sailor and soldier boys , present
 The people of Norwich should be grateful to have in their midst such men as the officials of tho local Y. M. C. A. Some few weeks ago I had i pleasure of listening to member of | the board of war department nnedi- cal advisors. who was making the | rounds of the various camps through l out the states giving lectures on the 1 welfare Of the American soldiers. He 1 said that the soldier of today must be 1 clean, both in body and scul, in or I der 10 accomplish that which we are l striving for--to make the world safe
 for democracy. He told how Eng
 land and France at the beginning of l the war were caught unaware and l her men and boys had to be sent to
 the firing lines where disease and pestilenee reigned and thereby thous- ! ands of men were fneapacitated be- l cause of the fact that they went into the struggle blindly. we" he said
 'haye had ample time to look into
 tEe matter more seriously and there fore Uncle Sam is sending me to the
 various camps to caution the boys against the evils that will cenfron.
 them when they go over there Mer and not guns. are going to win this
 war-real men, men of staunch mora character" He said that the boy.
 when they so abroad will have tt 1 shift for themselves: that they would not have the comforting words ot parents and friends to guide then alright, but will be left to guid, themselves by their own free will ant
 good judgment The Y. NJ. c. A. O
 the camps, both here and abroad. ar. 3 educating these boys and raigin. { their morals 10 a- pitch that will no ) i only make a conquering army bu
 one long to be remembered and look
 ed backward to in years to come. sl I fear I have taken np too rnuc] space, but too much cannot be sai, 6 for the good work, being done for tn boys in service. In behalf of the sail ] or and soldier boys of this vicinity
 wish to publicly thank and congratu late the Norwich Y. N. c. A. and th 5 good women Of your city for tn e benevolent work being accomplished 0 ERNEST V. GIEHI,.
 Co. 21. Fort Terry. N. Y. June 2t
 1 IBIS.