The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-11

time TO time his parents, Mr.. and NJ.
James Mckenna. 1875 West SeventiatS
street, New York city. and Edgemera
L. j.. received letters from the front do.
scribing his exploits. They always We.
written modestly and the name OF In,
Mckenna was In the background n.
promotion to the rank OF Major was No,
heralded widely, but the fact that bs
was raised in rank on the battlefield ,
commentator IL itself
Only a few days ago Prof. Michael p
Dee of the Fordham University Schoo,
OF Law, in the woolworth Buildins. m.
ceived letter from Major McKen,a
who was one of his old scholars The
letter described life at the front and a,
usual spoke very highly OF the American
soldier. Written three days before ~.
big drive started, the letter said
Dear Professor Sounds quite form,.
dable):
II received letter from YOU som.
time ago. but have been too busy to an.
swer 1t. You may be sure, however,
that II was thoroughly appreciated
I'VE have had lots OF fun since las,
saw you in New York-rememher the
day you gave me lift in your ma
chine? From the early days OF las,
year when the American was a rarity.
until the present, when he is as common
as win rouge, we have had a personally
conducted tour OF France and have
learned many things beside the language
One OF those things is that we can trim
the German every day we meet him In A
straight fght--no. he Is not easy, ard
we must work, but we can and do hand
him the X. o. when the pinch comes "
course he puts one over once In a while
but how can we beat nine men and the
umpire?
Confident of Final Victory.
II have no time for logical discus.
! sion and cannot cite facts to prove NY
| conclusion. but ask you to have coma.
| dence and II take the word OF a man
who knows from direct personal contar,
we can and will win. We are bette.
material and are learning. Yes. we VIII
get trimming now and then, We VIII
| nave our troubles. we will lose men
but In the end we will win.
Our troops fight well, wonderfully
well. They love to advance and do not
| understand strategic retreat 1--WE reve-
, have any,, and when tod TO hold that
line to the last they love the words and
| they hold the line. You'd be proud o..
them. good clean fellows with lots O,
| CUTS not heroes but trying to he.
| you will be pleased to know that
my brother Billy has been promoted
to Captain and 4 have been made
| Major. We are pleased TO have received
| the promotions in France and will try
! to be worthy of the wonderful men we
are leading
"Au revoir. professor, I've got IN
leave my dugout now and Sea what
ails the Heinie. There is noise and
rumble above ground which is worthy
| of the back row In a law school whea
such worthless as McCafrey tnow in
| France), Billy and Lew Altier (also IN
France) assisted me In holding down a
| law chair and keeping one case ahead
of the professor The good old DAYS
We'll. we are all here now and We'll
do our best for the gang back home
| MY best wishes to all--keep your heado
UP. jim MckENNA.
Major McKenna was an athlete be-
fore joining the colors. He was a Har-
ward man and crack oarsnan OF the
| college. His athletics We're not con-
fined to any one particular branch but
embraced all sports. AS n football
player he was a star
His parents. a sister and a younger
brother are now at Edgemere. l.. l., where
Is the family's summer home. When told
OF his sons death Mr.. Mckenna said:
IT am proud Of thai hoy of mine I
have another one, Bill, still with the
Sixty-ninth. who will take up the Esq.,
for Jim. II is great sacrifice. buy
| thank God I am in a position to make
the sacrifice ! am justly proud that
my son is buried in French SOIL