The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-12-12
Why the Boys Want to Tome Home

1t has been recently announced that
our troops GIN be brought home at
the rate of 10000 a month. This
must be joyful news both at the camps
in Europe and in the homes of Amer
lea The following letter from II. c.
Rode will indicate how badly and for
how great reason these young men
wish to get back Mr. Rode was for
rnerly from New York. In July 1916
he was married to Miss Eva futile,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. NJ l.. futile
of Athens He was the first boy to
leave Athens for military service, go
ing from that town 10 Camp DeYens
April Goth On the following day
daughter was born and , weeks later
her soldier father came home for d
few days furlough with little Marion
and her mother. On the 3rd of July,
which as it happened. WIS his wedding
anniversary, this young man sailed for
France. While at Deyens he vas one
of the company cooks but later was
transferred to a musical organization,
which in Europe has been giving con
certs and minstrel shows to entertain
the sick and wounded soldiers His
letter follows:
Somewhere in France,
Oct Is 1918
NV Dearest Eva and Marion.
Well. dear grille, how are you get
ting along those days. Fine | hope.
| think Of you and our darling Marion
every day and about every hour. IL
will not be long now before this war
will close and then Just think OF the
great snd happy day when we shall be
united again So, dear. you want to
keep up good courage and be happy as
we really have lots to be thankful for.
How is our darling little grille get
ting along My. how | would like to
have her on my lap this morning Was
very happy to learn in your letter
how well she is and how she IS gain
ing in weight. Brother Arthur wrote
she was so good. a perfect little
dream, God bless her
We we're just passed an envelope
and asked to write our home address,
wife or mother, and | sent mine to
YOU, as wife comes first. These go
with a permit to send Christmas
package Don't send me anything to
wear as | have all | need but would
like a nice fruit cake. dear | GER
tainly would enjoy 1t.
There are lots of cattle in this part
of France. Heavy stock and all pure
white They use steers on the farms
and mules to drive around the towns
Honest. it does seem odd to see how
things are run over here. There are
a few shops where they make the
wooden shoes and most Of the people
wear them In this place where we
are staying they have small French
bakery Two other boys and | are
writing in the store which of course.
is like kitchen. You see this place
is a real old fashioned town.
Did tell you in my other letter that
| met Cousin Arthur Merz here in st.
Amanda
Well how are Ma and Dad How
would love to be home now. | know
apple season is near, also threshing
to be done Well II it was not for
the folks living across the road | do
not know what we would do. | must
say they have certainly been a Won
derful help to us both hope to be
able to help them when I got back
again Really 1t means so much TO
me to know while I am over here
that things at home are going we'll
or course keep thinking of the things
had planned to do, fixing up my
buildings, etc, but we surely will
have to make the best of it.
Well goodbye dear heart and baby,
may God bless you both.
From your ever loving Hubby.
HENRY
Fl. C. Rode
302nd Inf Band
Hdq Co A P. o. 773