The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-07-26
SMILE AS They
GO into BATTLE
Spirit of American Soldiers in
France Described by Red
Cross Worker.
cheerful And CONFIDENT
Each Believes II He Doesn't Get Into
Action on Time Fight Will Be
Lost-What American Wom-
en- Are Doing.

| huuElilNI VI NllbAit1 a. NuIllHlN VI Allln
city, has been in France for a long
time doing Red Cross work.
She has written n most interesting
and thrilling letter to her parents, a
letter that should stimulate Red Cross
work throughout the world and give to
our soldiers IN the trenches, on the fir
ing lines and in camp their mothers,
sisters, sweethearts and friends at
home fresh hope and assurance that
the American women are doing mag
nlficent work in their behalf.
Here is what Miss Kathryn says:
l wish everyone at home, particu-
larly the loved ones of our fighting
men, could see "our boys" as they go
into battle. It's the proudest moment
Of life and the grandest. Oh! how
brave and splendid they are, with a
smile on their lips. "Good-by." 1--WE
will see you soon again."
We feed from four to five thousand
some days. Our canteen is always
crowded.
OF course that compliment Is our
greatest reward. We all try and want
to do for "our boys" the very best.
They come and go at all hours of the
/ day and night. Our Red Cross can
/ teen is never closed. All of "our boys"
on this line of communication stop and
rest and have their meals and refresh
ments at this Red Cross canteen.
Want to Push on.
We always know, among the very
first, when a big drive is on, and then
we never seem to sleep. Nobody wants
to. "Our boys" don't even care to stop
long and rest; they want to push on.
Everyone Of these blessed men feel
that if he fails to get there on time
and at the very second when called
into action the fight will be lost, and
it will.
Here is a toast one Of our brave Off
GERS left with us. 1t expresses the at
titude Of tour boys" to US perhaps bet
ter than any word of mine:
"TO our women, who sent us forth
with courage in their hearts and tears
in their eyes.
"To our women at home who are sac
rifcing all that we may win.
ITO our women over here who give
their own lives that we may live.
"God bless them, and damn the man
that does not respect them and the
coward that does not protect them"
"Our boys" mean every word ex-
pressed, and no woman was ever more |
thoughtfully considered and protected
than we of the American Red Cross
who serve "our boys" at the front.
Over 5000 American trucks, all
heavily laden, have passed our front
door in this last big drive. Every man
in charge came in for rest and refresh
ment and little chat with one of his /
native tongue, then with the smile Of
the soldiers and a wave of the hand in
farewell, "Good-by until we meet
again."
After every battle and at intervals
we see "our boys" coming back.
Blood soaked, weary, but oh how
brave, "our boys" with bayOnet and
shell wounds will tell you quickly and
firmly, 81 am all o. K" II can wait"
Look after Jim there" or 'Look after
this lad; he's gassed" The pity and
the brutality of that horrible gas!
Get Best of Care.
Every American father and mother
can rest in full assurance that If their
boy comes in anywhere along the line
the most thoughtful, considerate and
efficient care is given to him immedi-
ately.
"Our boys" Of course, come first,
but in behalf Of humanity, and the
love of Christ, we never say or do
ANYTHING to wounded enemy, and we
see them by the hundreds, that any
one could criticize. The American
Red Cross is here for service, and it
renders the best, day and night, to
everyone that comes.
While it's work, hard work, and
work all the time, we get lot Of it,
and the sun shines just as brightly
over here on the firing line as at home.
Every day is a new one and it's ups
and downs fill up the time.
A splendid general came in the 9TH
er day and he was sight. His clothes
were white with dust and his face
black for want of shave. The can
teen was packed-it was one Of our
busy days. The general wanted to
shave and wash up before eating, and
The only spot vacant and available was
he small private dressing room used
exclusively by we American women.
We excluded all the women, put the
general in our private dressing room,
With hot and cold water, and on the
outside Of the door we wrote a note
md pinned it up, reading:
"BEWARE-Girls stay out. The gen.
raj is shaving"
When our guest finished and came
,ut he saw the sign, and doubtless
cad it with amusement, because he
Vrote just below it, as follows:
"Girls, your guest has finished. Many
hanks to Gods greatest gift to man
n American woman" ,
And then he signed his name, and
hat is one of our choice souvenirs. (