The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-18
DADS CHRISTMAS LETTER ARRIVES AFTER SONS DEATH Full of Happiness While Writing Lieut.. Alfred T.
 West Has Since Made
 Supreme Sacrifice

the last one he ever wrote, as shortly word from the war department at Wash ington that Lieutenant West was dead. The following is the letter. written from a French hospital:
 Dear Dad: I guess that you are be- ginning to think I have dropped out but let me assure you I vas never more alive. I wrote sister some few days ago and told her that was much better and expected to leave here soon, but as I had another spell with my back had to stay awhile longer I have been in bed for nearly a week, but am able to be up and feel good deal better tonight
 'Well, as the war is just about over only a signature or two we hope, and then we will all come sailing home had hoped to be there by Christmas, but guess that I won't quite make it. Gee, it seems ages since I left. I feel as though I was 10 years old, but, Dad, it has been a wonderful experience, and to think that I have been through it all True, I had some narrow escapes, and have been in lots of close places, but have pulled through with a whole skin and thankful heart. Perhaps you dear ones would like to know some of the battles I have been in. As the censor ship now allows, I will tell you.
 We reached here May 6. We were in the June drive to Belleau woods where the Marines won their fame over here. Then we helped in the drive between Sois- sons and Reims on July IS. After that we were in on the St. Mihiel September | 12 drive, and then we were attached to the French and fought at Champagne in i October. Last of all, we were in on the I last big offensive of the war, the drive l in the Verdun sector, which ended in the l capture of Sedan and the German rail road centers. We started on November l l, and my company realized all their ob- l jectives, and were ready for relief when I fell out and had to be brought here oli | a litter.
 q can't go into details, for it would ! take an encyclopedia, I am afraid, so l you will have to wait until I get home | for the trimmings.
 Don't you think that I was pretty
 lucky to come out of these alive? The l rest of my outfit, that is not here in the hospital with me, is in the "Fatherland,' | so you see that we Marines are always | on the job.
 | Wish that you could have been here ! on that wonderful day, November Il. We l had heard that the armistice was to be signed at Il o'clock, but such rumors had | been out before, so we didn't count on it much. On the morning of the 11th we heard that hostilities were to cease at III, but unofficially. Then Il o'clock | came. As we were anxiously listening | and watching the town, we heard a low ! changing of a bell, then pandemoniun broke out; bells, whistles, people screamed and shouted, and instantly the tri-colors could be seen rapidly hauled up the my | riad flagstaffs. From every building il l floated triumphantly, fluttering there to tell once more, "LaBelle Drapeau" had been saved and once more could float victoriously over it's people. That after noon I went to the dentist, and as the ambulance sailed through the town it was | a beautiful scene. From every window l fluttered the tri-colors, and with 1t shar- 1 ing its glory was our own dear Stal | Spangled Banner, and what pair they did make Every few yards would be
 a group of all the allied flags, but every
 where, as though inseparable floated the flags of France and the United States Throngs of victory-mad men and womer boys and girls, surged this way and thai along the narrow, crooked streets shout ing and singing, and there, too, you saw the two flags, tri-color and Old Glory sharing the triumph together. Grinning laughing, Poilus and Americans went arm in arm singing the French war songs.
 Today our forces enter Germany Doesn't it seem strange to say? Old Bill is going to receive, as token of oul
 esteem, little island. way out in th' ocean somewhere, where he can be mon arch of all he surveys, like Napoleon a 1 Elba That's too good for him, but guess lit's the best we can do, for death IS tot good. Thoughts of what might hav'
 been" ought to disturb his dreams. Don you think SO?
 We'll, sir, this is about all the new
 that I can put in this letter. I would
 like to know if the folks at home re
 ceived the German shoulder strap, an'
 the handkerchiefs I sent them in Octo
 her just before I went in the Champagn
 battle. I hope you dear ones are al well and happy now, for you don nav
 to worry over me, for this trouble |
 not very serious; it is very painful, ou
 not dangerous, and hope to be out soon
 Give my fondest love to my little sweet ies. and tell them that I am just count ing the days until I can squeeze then almost to death; tell sister that l am th
 same old kid that left her, only l ioV , her more. (f that is possible) and don forget your own dear self, for nav
 always thought of you; what you've oon
 for me, and the many things am golh to do when I get home. Gee, l nave I terrible ambition.
 As this will reach you about Christ
 mas, suppose that greetings are Il order; I wish for you all the merries | of Christmases, I know, of course, that
 will be missed as it is my first away | from home and I am glad, oh, so slae that I know how much I am missed. has been the greatest comfort to me | my trying life over here to know that had my home where all the love a DO | could dream of awaited me, and to kno' l that I had never done anything 10 es trange me from that home. and so. thous am thousands of miles away. dear pee ple. know that on that blessed mgr my spirit will be with you and thous YOU can't see me l shall see you Tn m minds eye, and my joy will be grea with anticipation of homecoming lllaugb, dear ones,, and be happy. TOT be one of the happiest. most thanki' boys in the world. With hug and kis for each of the precious little ones, an my darling sister, and the warmes heartiest handclasp a son can sive n father for yourself, am always vol