Imperial Valley press., 1918-05-18
y.M.C.A. READY
WITH GREETINGS
To NEW SOLDIER
Association Man Welcomes the Re-
cruit When He Appears at Camp,
and the Liberty Boy Feels Mighty
Glad for Word or Two at a Time
When Homesickness Grips.
(By associated Fress)

II (By associated Press)
Camp Lewis, Tacoma, Wash, May
1S.-No matter at what time of the
| night or day the newly drafted man
arrives at camp, Young Mems Chris
tian Association man is there to greet
the newcomer, make him welcome and
"show him the ropes He isn't part
of the army, but he is representing
the public-sp spirited persons of the
Northwest who have placed him there
to make the way easier for the SOL
der.
Scores of the men in the latest
draft contingent have been unfortu-
nate enough 40 arrive at Camp Lewis
in the dead of night. There is no
brass band to welcome the men. There
are no brilliantly lighted streets and
all-night cafes where the new arrival
can find little cheer for his lone
illness.
When the drafted man steps from
the train he beholds a vast stretch
of inky darkness broken here and
there by an occasional light in one of
the camp buildings where the flights
out at 9:30' order doesn't apply
There is nothing else, except a sol
der in uniform who welcomes them
with This way, men,"
The first view of camp is discour-
aging. 1t takes an experienced hand
to find his way about camp at night.
There is not light to guide the way
along the road. And there is long
tramp from the railway station, down
past the Liberty theatre, the Y. y
c. A. buildings, the barracks of the
361st infantry, numerous warehouses
and the depot brigade's quarters to
til receiving station of teh casual of
flee. where the civilian life is left
behind.
1t is depressing enough to a stran-
ger trying to find his way about camp
at night. But the tramp, tramp down
the paved street through the oppres-
sive darkness, to these men who are
leaving behind them all they hold dear
to enter something-they know not
what except it is for their country
this brings them into the receiving
station with long faces and discour-
aged step, which are not lightened
when the examining officer orders
tongues out and chests bare so that
contagious diseases may be kept out.
And when the man steps forth from |
the long runway, again into the dark
ness, expecting anything and wishing
he were anywhere but here, a hand
is thrust before him into his. A cheer
full voice greets him and bids him wei
come to the building across the way
any time eh has little leisure. A
little card is left in his hand and he
goees on with the knowledge that he
has at least one friend among those
present.
1t is the Y. NJ. c. A. secretary,
one of the men from Building No. 5,
which is located within few PAGES
of the receiving station.
During the two weeks of quaran-
tine and drill, when the new arrival
is not allowed the freedom fthe cam
tanment, the Y NJ. c. A. secretary is |
keeping in touch with the men, sup.
plying them with reading matter,
writing materials and games for leis-
ore moments. And occasionally an
entertainment is given for the men to
make the time pass more quickly.
The Knights of Columbus secretar-
iese, the repres sntative of the Jewish
Welfare Board and other religious or
ganizations also are doing their part
in caring for the new arrivals and
soon the first impression Of camp life,
received in the darkness, is but a
memory, for the men soon learn that
erny life isn't half bad, and they
thrive on it.