The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-08-31
From Donald F. Daegling

The following IS letter received
by Mr.. and Mrs F. W. Daegling. OF
Whiting. from their son. Donald. who
has just arrived overseas
France. in Rest Camp
Dearest Folks.
Have arrived here all O. X. as the
Safe Arrival cards have probably
already announced to you.
Our trip across the seas was unex-
citing and uneventful as We all had
not expected The last three or four
days OF our trip we encountered storms
not so severe though. Several sail
ors aboard said that ii was real calm
in comparison to what they really are
at times. II 60 leave me Of the ships
and let me plant my feet on God
earth. What feeling It was 70 step
off the ship on to the ground. would %
hard to tell. although We all were
ready at all times 20 abandon the ship
in case of accident or attacks
Ny first impression OF war-torn
France made me realize what great
sacrifices these most wonderful people
are offering TO the cause or freedom
for all peoples ! could see the honest
gladness in their faces when they saw
we boys march through their narrow
streets-right past their very doors
OF their succeed homes. in which they
and their forefathers have lived These
people. Mother. are wonderfully kind
and true. No doubt you and many OF
our home people OF the States think
that this is no more than is due the
United States boys. 50 il Is. but when
one realizes that troops OF red. white
and blue are passing through the DIFF
ferent districts OF France by the
it then presses on your minds that
How are you" and Hello would
wear off OF these peoples saces, much
like novelty-but that is not So
indeed
Beautiful France IS very picturesque
much more than I had expected
the nelds are green completely. while
dotted over its whole are plats 81
wheat. yellow and ripe and ready to be
cut-to be thrashed into -four for the
troops fighting for the cause, and for
the famished women and children who
are at present doing manual labor in
the factories and on the farms OF
France
As we passed through the streets
little French children-boys and girls.
both-would hail Us saying tobacco
for fadder'-we could see the honest
appeal In their faces-and give them
cigarettes-with the result OF pathetic
smiles on their faces and a gentle
Thank you sir" These children walk
around in wooden shoes. even the little
tots OF a few years have them and
the older folks also wear them-cun1-
bersome looking things. very much like
the shoe Of Holland-probably the Gus
tom followed and picked up from the
Dutch.
Our first problem OF Inconvenience
il ire language. second. the money
but we Will gradually become acquaint-
ed with these trifiing Inconvenience.
large though they are.
French peasantry peddle their wares
a the entrance OF our camp grounds
these wares consist of plums. figs. nuts.
a pressed compound Of figs nuts and
brandy supposedly called candy. can
ned goods. salmon. onions. prunes and
q variety Of many other things. These
things are greedily bought UP BY We
boys who enjoy talking to these peo-
pie very much.
Dear ones II IS already dark have
written the last page or two in the
dark Ii seems so funny that your
son should be so far away from YOU
all. who are so dear 10 me. when only
few months ago I was enjoying
home life so close TO you. now thous
ands OF miles away in a foreign land
ready TO do my bit-whatever 1t may
be.
It seems I could write on forever
concerning the thoughts which have
passed through my mind-of the things
I VIII not be able to reveal to you
only when I come back TO you. I VIII
make quits now. with the promise 70
write a long letter tomorrow-if time
permits Good night to you. Mother
dear and all my rest, good night
American people. whom I know are o.
will soon be making sacrifices, good
night to the chivalrous people q
France.
Your most loving son.
DONALD
Donald F Daegling. Battery A. 10th