The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1918-08-23
FROM CARLTON AYLARD

FROM CARLTON AYLARD
We herewith reproduce an interest
ing letter from Carlton Aylard, who is
engaged in Y. M. G. A. work in France,
written to his brother, A. D. Aylard of
Medina:
July 21, 1918.
My Dear Arthur:
am now stationed at Clermont-
Ferrand couple hundred miles south
of Paris. The Y. M. G. A. has head
quarters of one division here. The
arrangement of "Y" work is this:
General headquarters at Paris; France
is divided into about a dozen divisions
with one or more divisional secretaries
Then each division contains military
camps or billets, generally in town
or village. In each of these the "Y"
aims to keep one or more secretaries
with canteen recreation room, writing
room, etc.
I am at present educational secre-
tary for this division. I am in the
larger camps where the troops want
classes. The plan is to give them any
instruction and help that they want
so far as possible.
Each camp has it's amusements,
consisting of moving pictures, con-
certs, minstrel shows, boxing bouts,
etc. In some huts there is show of
some kind two or three times week,
then again, some won't have so many.
At the canteens candy, tobacco,
lemonade, soaps and such things are
sold at cost. They do big business
in these things, selling about all we
can get.
Then too, we cash pay checks and
do anything useful.
On Sunday one or two religious
services are held in the hall.
This is the general plan followed in
all camps.
This camp is training and re-
cuperation division quite a long dis
tance from the front.
The troops here are of the finest
and ready and anxious to go to the
front.
We are in a hilly country, famous
summer resort place. There are min
eral springs at different places
Royal, Vichy, etc. These waters are
bottled and sold. Large base hos
pitals are located there.
The country is beautiful and climate
fine. Soil fertile, vineyards, grain,
potatoe fields, meadows everywhere.
But all farmers live in villages. They
own and cultivate very small farms
but never live on them. There are no
farm buildings. The village houses
are built together in large blocks of
apartments, with the first floor given
up to stock while the family lives
above.
The condition and spirit of all troops
is splendid. They are being cared for
in the best manner possible. The
principal complaint is that they don't
go to the front fast enough. But
when they do 60 they give good ac-
count of themselves.
The "Y" is doing a great service
and the troops seem to appreciate
what it is doing to furnish all kinds
OF comforts and wholesome entertain
ment. The men work hard and live
and act here very much as they did
in the U. S. A.
am thoroughly we'll and comfort
able. Ut course you understand, l
am not free to write you particulars
about military affairs, which would
perhaps be interesting.
You may say to the people at home
that their contributions of money, food
and good cheer in all ways is having
wonderful effect on the boys and
toward winning the war. That is
what is keeping up the spirits of the
boys and is what will end the war
quicker and better than could possibly
be done without it.
Money given the Y. M. C. A. is
well used. 1t will need lots Of cash
to enable this work, which is so very
important, to be kept up for those now
here and also for the men coming over
all the time.
1t is the aim of the ''Y" that work
ing with the other good influences, the
officers, ETC., most of the American
soldiers shall 60 home after the war
better men than they were when they
came. Always heretofore discharged
army has been demoralized. This
time it shall be clean and healthy.
And the "Y" is doing all it can to
bring this to pass.
The French people are very friendly
toward Americans and the American
Doys like to visit with them. Some
times they can talk and often they
can't: but all Americans soon learn q
Few French words and then they use
these and get on fine.
! hope you are all well,
Give my regards to everybody.
n. CA.