Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-07
SOLDIER LAUDS
| Y. WAR WORK
ERoT. PAUL GARDNER WRITES
OF ASSOCIATIONS EFFORTS
FOR ARMY MEN.

4 Sshed by the Y, M. G. A. for the
/ 3ny in France is the subject Of a
Rter by Sergeant Paul X. Gardner,
IN Of Mr.. and Mrs. A. T. Gardner.
mo have -FOUR sons in service Of the
3{ation in the great world war. The
letter IL one Of those that was to have
been used in connection with the 7.
u CA. war work drive, but-was de-
u led IN striving and although the
Y I've ID finished and the goal reached,
news of what ia being done viii
Of just: as great interest now as
EAen the campaign was on.
{ Sergeant Gardner, who is in the air
ervice of the A. e. F., writes az fol-
fws:
"A City in France. April s, 1918.
fDear Folks: The Y. M. G. A. is
Ding wonderful service over here
Eth us boys. It is one of the things
Hat 10 making our army the best
bred for In history. The French Of
Gers that have met told me that
heir best efforts in this direction were
@ry humble compared to what 10 be-
*g d(le for the boys from U. 8. A..
ind n,w hear that the. French boys
IRE getting the same splendid treat
t,nt-America is doing it.
WOULD BE HE'LL WITHOUT '"Y'
- Almost without exception the boys
Everywhere I've been have been pro-
Else in their praise Of the Y. That
{as been the case ever since Joined
he y. 8. army--almost a year. AS
recruit, guaranteed in great con-
fku<ra &Snu oar,,n 7 romopokor hnorn~
I Ne rough. crude chap say: We've
I t give 1t to the Y-this here place
s,uld be hell without It, It was a
~ retreat in the evenings after days
tropical suns and dusty winds.
Id over here the men wearing the
IA triangle labor with the same UNI
Easing devotion that they had back
3qme. Their hours are longer than
ke soldiers and often their work
kn more trying; but they plug away
3h the same cheering smiles spread
over their faces, day and night.
A vERIrABLE AMERICA.
A%Each Y IL a veritable little Ameri-
N--American confectionery and to-
f.cco. American refreshments and
ats, American language, and Amen-
IAN women--God bless the girls from
<ome. il the way the fellows feel.
They slave around our club rooms
keeping them bright and airy. lending
the feminine touches that help 80
much. TO be sure many Of them
trent young ladies-r-but then they are
good mothers. / know of some that
work about the canteens who come
from some Of our big American fami-
hes, and scarcely anyone knows it
ftgl- doing their best to do their bit.
i PEOPLE HARD TO MEET.
Naturally. most soldiers in their
buick moving life don't come in con-
kact with what is best. Here in
Europe the best people are hard to
harder, because Of their
customs, than 1t would be for foreign
holders to get into our homes should
they come to America. Because we do
not meet the people who would keep
Ahame orr American ideals, the Y
kas to accomplish the task, and be-
Etdes give the encouragement and op-
kimism that are 80 necessary. With
Fcs organization Of athletics, study
entertainments and religious
Dervices, its canteens and club rooms
lull Of good reading matter and free
writing material, it's leaders keen to
our every need, the Y. M. G. A. Is
powerful in it's influence.
When We have whipped the kaiser.
rm sure that the Y IL going to have a
share In the glory and we will not re-
Eret that dollar we've given to help 1t
40 IT. unique work.