The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-01-21
SOLDIERS LETTERS

Mr.. and Mrs. Varian e. Hale re-
Gently received the following letter
from their brother Arden D. Hale,
who is with the American forces In
France:
December, Is, 1918.
MY dear brother, sister and niece:
| lust received your letter OF NOV.
10 and was sure glad to hear from
YOU. but sorry l cannot be there Tor
Christmas dinner.
II were l, would sure make the
chickens suffer. Just hang on 70
some of them. They may not be TOO
tough before l arrive on the secene;
at least hope not.
Well, the big day has arrived, the
landing of President Wilson IN brest,
France, on Dec. 10. 1t Is an event
that will go down in history. All tne
Eighth division were ordered 10
Arrest to do guard duty while the pre-
sident and his party were on parade
The place chosen for the big recep-
tion was a park overlooking the
Rrest Bay, being about mile IN
length and one of the prettiest drives
Won can see anywhere. Rows OF trees
IN both sides and ropes were strecnea
. on both sides and prettily decorateu'
7 have never seen anything that com
pared with the dock and all the
streets he passed thru.
All ships at the harbor were dec y,
ated in the allied colors WIN tne
good DID U. 8. A. stars ana stripes
floating above the rest. some Oh tne
flags has President Wilson's plcture
on one end. Nth
The main drive was decorated with
evergreens and flags. Hanging across
the drive every hundred yards were
a few of the following slogans;
"viva Wilson, the Apostle OF liberty
2 "Welcome Wilson, the Man OF Worid
wide Peace; "Hurrah for wilson,
the Liberator of all People ana
MANY more. One side was printed IN
Engiish and the other in French.
And another thing, the movies we're
on the scene doing their duty. ~
they ever come to Blackloot tahe
time to look at them and on Tue
right side half way down STANDS ri.
vate Arden D. Hale, formerly OF
Blackfoot. Idaho, but now with the
A. e. F., France.
On one of the highest places over
looking the harbor, the French
erected statue of liberty consisting
Of a wooden frame lighted with
colored electric lights and just be-
low large w meaning Woodrow WILL
son. -, 49,.
And now to proceed with the land
ing parade at 100. The presidents
salute was given. Perhaps you know
what it is, but.I shall tell you any
way. 1t is done by firing twenty-one
guns; they weren't ~ caliDer snots
either. At 2.15 p. m. the party
started thru the drive led by Presl-
dent Wilson's car, which was open
He looked right at me. Il think ne
knew was related to mother. ma!
Hall Following was General Persn-
ing in a Sedan. After all our Amerl-
can cars with officers passed, the pre-
sident of France and his STAN passed,
Orr orders were, do not salute, but
stand at attention as you never $1,000
before" and we did. At last Presi'
dent Wilson inquired as to what or
ganization gave such a splendid ap-
Dearance. He was told 1t was the
Eighth infantry Of the eighth dlVls-
ion. ~.
On all bulletin boards over the
Pontenzen Barracks were billed the
thanks and appreciation of President
Wilson, General Pershing, Genera!
Helmuck of the Eighth Division and
Colonel Kerk, camp commander Iol
our appearance and duty as guards.
Yesterday afternoon company &
were called out to have our pictures
fer the paper, SO watch and you ma!
see 1t. There was a sort OF joke
about it, We marched down to Bres'
and all lined up, company front, II
the street expecting to see mar
come out with camera, when oul
company commander came out IRON
interviewing the photographer ane
said, Stand with one foot IN place
It will take about fifty minutes as M
is going to paint it." Just think OF
man painting whole company II
fifty minutes and he standing ut I'M
Ton of a three-story building LOOKING
ont of a window. Alas! 1t wal
done. L am anxious to see What
looks like.
This afternoon ! have 70 90 OF
guard again. l have it every othe
day now, but it isn't so bad. We g
on at three and guard until thre'
: the next day. -
You said l would never see tn
front and many others said | woul'
never see France, but l have and an
proud of it. I wouldn't have missed
this trip for whole lot. altho an
anxious now to get back to the state
and think every real American
the same. I'll follow the slogan
"See American first" 1t is far ahea'
of this country, especially when on
is broke. We haven't had a pay da
since the first of October; just on
in all my army life, now going o.
five months.
/ sure will have something to tel
YOU when l get home, or back 7
Gods country, as Colonel Kirk says
I would so much like to see all m
little nieces and nephews and It'll
brothers, in fact all Of you.
I only have time to write once
week. so let all read this and tel
them all to write often and may 20
ever bless you all.