Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1919-01-08
GEO. |. PAYNE
IN BELGIUM
Decorah Boy Writes Parents Letter
From Belgium. Says People
There Are Very Happy.
THE BELGIAN GIRLS
ARE PRETTY
Says 1t is Fine Country, All Mod
ern Buildings and Modern Ways,
People Are Fine
Somewhere in Belgium
Nov. Ok. 1918

Somewhere in Belgium
Nov. rs, 1918
Dear Folks:--As I have not writ
ten since the armistice was signed it
is about time wrote a few lines.
But We have been pretty busy since.
I am fine and hope you all are the
same. hope Eugene is well by now.
There has been great times here
since that Monday, shooting up flares
and rockets nights, and all kinds of
flags. We have been on the move for
some time now. 1t sure is great to
come into some of these towns where
people have been imprisoned for over
four years. The people sure show
their love for the Americans, especi-
ally Belgium. l never saw people so
happy before. They have their hous-
es and towns all decked with flags,
evergreens, etc. They made United
States flags in many places, Some had
five and some eight gold stars sewed
on, as tho they did not know how
many should be on. Division head
quarters was in Belgium town OF
about 10000 one night and every
body from little kids to old folks
, were out all night till twelve o'clock
with flares and torches, playing
mouth organs, accordians, flutes
and horns. 1t sure made fellow
feel fine. There were lots of pretty
girls. A bunch would come along
celebrating, grab fellow by the arm
or maybe one on each arm and swing
you around Then they danced in
squares by torch light to accordlan
music. Gee it was great. Belgium
sure is fine country, what | have
seen of it. All fine modern buildings
and modern ways, and the people
are so fine.
1t Montmiddy, France, the last
stop we made before going into
Belgium was pretty nice place. The
president Of France visited there
the day we were there. 1t was the
first time for me to see him. While
there another fellow and got some
potatoes, pork and beans, jam ana
etc., and gave to French woman &c
make dinner for us, as we We're
ahead of our kitchen and had ne
place to eat. She made us some
French fries and good dinner. we
did not have any sugar so sh'
brought out some loaf sugar for oul
coffee. that she said she had since
before the war. Pretty old sugar, Ell
was there in the evening and tn
old man and his daughters wer'
sorting over mail that just came III
dated back in 1914. 1t had been hell
all that time. This old man was post
master for Montmiddy. We are 1
Luxumburg now. This sure is a pref
ty country too. And oh, the ROADS
coming over this morning We move
20 kilometers, nice smooth roae
You could just open the throttle an
let her go. The best time ! made wa
some under. 80 per, coming over
think. You know l have a new Hal
ley-Dayidson with side car and III
eauipment. 1t sure is bird and ca
a certainly step off the kilometer
Those motorcycles sure make tnes
people open their eyes, as they neVS
saw anything like them. guess, sa
il sure is a change to run aroun
these towns all lit up and not sh'
nm. where before we were anon
ruined cities and if you ever lit
match at night an M. p. would hole
nut out that light. Now the cars ca
light up too.
These Belgium girls say we 10y
tho Americans, ha! ha! We ma
great times now. Amunrud went
the hospital some time ago ana
haye not seen him since. Well FOL
don't know when l will be HON
hut | hope before long. Guess
must close for now, as ever
With love, your son.
GEORGE l.. PAWN
ueadouarters Troop AID Div.