The Lamar register., 1919-02-05

Have been thinking of the good
times you have had within the past
month. Elections and installations.
Possibly banquets, at least on st.
Johns night or rather on Gen. Good
ale's birthday. Nothing preventing,
next year you will need at least one
more plate, large plate, for English
rations will not soon be forgotten.
1t has so happened that have been
able to attend but two Masonic gath
erings in this country, although invit-
ed time and again. No one can ever
say that | neglected my job for sake
of a personal desire for a pleasant
evening. That is true of the greater
part of those in this work.
Just at this time we know not what
may happen on the next day. There
are rumors of evacuation of the camp
and rumors of its becoming great
rest camp again for returning troops.
If the army knows what it is going TO
do, maybe we will be informed shortly.
The c. o. seems to be in the air ms
much as anyone as certain barracks
are prepared for turning over to the
British and later used for incoming
casuals. 1t is great life. maybe.
Our hut has been closed for several
days, the stock invoiced and taken 20
ha fn
prepare the decorations for the other
Huts and since the Holidays have help
ed in the inventory of warehouse stock
which amounts to about forty thousand
pounds. (s200, ,O0O.O0).
Christmas was a big day for the
men. Liverpool, Glasgow, London and
other Huts provided free dinners for
them. At this camp. the remaining
open buildings were abundantly de.
corated with Holly, Mistletoe, and
Evergreens. Christmas trees were
erected and loaded with glistening tin
sci ornaments and various colored
lights. Special programs were provid-
ed throughout the day and boxes were
distributed by the "Y." The Red Cross
opened new building that day and
also furnished entertainment and pre-
sents for the troops in camp. The
camp was about empty, only $500 be-
ing in a few of the barracks which ac-
commodate thousands. Every one was
happy or at least tried TO be happy.
There was much said about the homes
and the loved ones that day and some
were seen to wipe their eyes at the
mention of them. Fine fellows, brave
men. The best men, to my mind that
God ever made, are these American
soldiers and sailors, and may their pri-
vations and hardships in camp and
their valor on the field of battle never
be forbotten by their countrymen.
During the past few months, we
have talked with many of the boys
who have been wounded in battle or
who have returned from the German
prisons. Unbelievable almost are some
of the stories, yet after hearing the
same story from officers and men
alike, we marvel and yet know there
is basis. for the story, and | can
mentally picture the same men tell
ing the same stories of the heroism of
their pals to their children and grand
children in the years to come.
Talking with one of the boys Christ
mas morning, remarked that | would
give almost anything to have the hon
or of wearing a wound stripe on my
right sleeve. He replied, 81 am proud
of it and would go through it again
to have it, but, cannot forget those
who were not so lucky as |, those who
were blown to pieces while I was only |
hit by shrapnel. I will soon be home
with mother, but my Budd's mother
will never see her boy again" Our
country must not forget the mothers
and fathers of those who will not go
home, but honor them. Their sons
made the supreme sacrifice, but in so
doing proved themselves worthy of the
heritage which was theirs because of
the sturdy determination and valiant
patriotism Of their forefathers who |
,,olnal lbartx, ahova lifa itself