The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-04-13
fired Thurber West Home After Being Reported Dead

UWTT IOOK upon AIITtu IIU1 UeI W o'' c oS as their own son, having taken him when he was a mere boy-at the the death of Mrs. Gamble's sister who was Mir Vests mother-and reared him to splendid young manhood, are re- joicing over the return of the young marine from across the seas,' when, for nine long weeks, he was reported dead, and they feared they would never see him again in this world.
 Alfred Thurber West went out with the Fifth regiment, United States ma rines Second division, early in the game and fought the good fight, writing ire
 quently to his loved ones at home of hls many trying experiences that he was
 going through, and~then came period
 of silence; the report came that he was
 dead and MT. and Mrs. Gamble were
 heart broken, when, quite suddenly, again came the news that he was not
 dead, but alive and had arrived in the
 good old United States
 Mrs. Gamble in speaking of the good news said:
 Martha and Mary could not have been any happier over the raising of their brother from the dead than l was when I heard that my boy was not dead, but alive. Although they said he was dead I never quite gave up hope, but held to the promise that where two ask believing, it shall be given, and I was praying fervently all the while and now my prayers are answered, for my boy writes to us that we Will see him again soon.
 ''Thurber's letter. and he always writes to me, and speaks to me as
 little mother mine," said Mrs. Gamble, lis dated April 3, Quantico, Va, and
 he says among other things:
 "The age of miracles and wonders ha not DaSSed | am home. 1 cant realize it, for it seems too good to be true. We left St. Nazaire March "A and after a very trying journey, for our boat was not very comfortable, stlll dear, that old boat will always be precious one to me. We arrived in New York April 1. The mayor of New York had his welcome committee wait ing, and we had just come on deck from the dining room at noon when we were greeted with burst of cheers, and in stantly the beautiful and stirring strains of Home, Sweet Home reached our ears. Emotionl My dear Shakes peare could not express them. We had sighted land and were anXiously peer ing through a mist of a slight snow for glimpse of our beloved lady-Miss Liberty-when we were called to chow. Ina zine the quickened pulse, the spar king eyes, as the thought of home at last surged to our brain At hrSt we gave no cheers, only faint eXclamatlons of joy, sobs of happiness. We were too full for uttenance. We looked, and there, in all her glory, with stream of sunlight shedding its brillance on her. stood the Goddess of Liberty, and | each heart breathed prayer of thank | fitness, and we worshipped her as only | a returning soldier can. Then we | roared. and cheer upon cheer burst | out Finally after we had shouted | ourselves hoarse the mayor of San | Francisco made a short welcome ad- l dress from boat which came as close l to us as it dared. There were two | bands on the ship of welcome, and they | played-oh, how they played-rag, pop | ular airs, national anthems all It was freezing cold, yet the girlies stuck
 to their posts. The band never ceased
 except for shouted messages, which | shot back between us. The shores were | crowded with people waving and cheer | ing. Millions of flags flying, and above | all the song in our hearts of home | and mother.
 l q can't describe it, better leave it
 to the imagination. All l can say is, l never was so happy in all my life. We | docked about p. m, and a marine or 1 ficer was there to meet us. As soon
 as the gangplank fell he was on board. 1 We rode to Brooklyn navy yards in <, trucks and the people of New York 1 cheered and waved at us all the way | We would approach throng of peo- | pie when We would get abreast they
 would see our emblem and cry ma | rines, Devel Dogs home from France | They shouted and girls smiled, and | mothers waved, and then for second | would wipe their eyes and wave again.
 "Old men grew young again. and
 waved their hats and canes. Little l boys and girls came to attention, and
 saluted as we passed. but, dearie, the | best of all. we could read all the signs | At last we reached the barracks and 1 after settling down we had chow. Then | the commanding officer gave us leave | until 630 the next morning. Three | buddies and myself went out to take in as much of the great city as we
 could. We said Broadway first, and a
 good show. What kind, oh. a good
 shot, $5 a seat, and a box of choco-
 lates. Ha! Ha! Yet it wasn't so fool
 ish as you might think. We were Broadway bound, and had just gotten
 off the subway at Grand Central sta
 tion when a nicely dressed old lady l (not so very old. etther) came uI us and said sweetly: Just home, my
 boys? 'Oui we said before we thought
 and then said yes, madam, arrived this
 afternoon Going to take in New
 York? Oui again. Then altogethel
 we said Broadway and a real good play
 something worth while. Smiling. she | said. Come with me, and I'll show 1 you what you want. I live here, ant l knodw the city,. So we went. Sh,
 was like a girl. so lively, telling us