Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-12-27
The Soldiers Friend

Information relative to the affairs
Of soldiers still in service or dis
charged. is official and furnished the
Free Trader-Journal by government
recruiting officers, who make it their
business to keep themselves well
posted ON all matters pertaining TO
government insurance ana other I'M
portant detaiIs vital TO the interests
Of the men who served with the col
ors during the war with Germany.
Friend Of the Soldier.
Editor. Ottawa Free Trader-Journal
Soldiers Of the American army are
credited by the French government
with being largely instrumental in
winning the victory which came 70
the arms of right and justice on Nov
ember H. 1918, when the armistice
Germany begged was granted. This
appears in a souvenir pamphlet ded-
icated to the American soldiers who
| fought overseas. and which will soon
be presented through recruiting Off.
GERS throughout the United States, 10
every American soldier who saw ser
|
| surcps and who did not receive one
before leaving France.
The memorial voices the feeling Of
France to America and America S
noble sons who We're over there. not
emitting those who gave their ALI.
for Liberty In an eloquent intro
duction appears this high tribute to
American soldiers;
At the most critical moment Of
the struggle which had lasted for
three years against German Imperial
ism you came as strong youths into
La country where the young had per-
ished. 70 the weeping You brought
Il smile, to those who had been dcS-
poiled your generosity brought hope,
to the tatherlcSS children YOU offered
Jog. The summing up Of these rccOl-
lections must remain an inspiration
to You and to those who follow You,
in All future efforts.
OFTEN, marching toward dusk,
along some valley road in France you
have watched the lights as they be
gan to shine out from the windows Of
the little arm houses, while the mists
gradually enveloped all but the
shadowy forms of objects almost in
diStinguiShable Let it be so in your
= minds when you think Of France; re-
; member the innumerable small
/ houses which almost two million men
. have died to save. and those hearths
, where a fire still burns, though the
poilu who left it will never return. II
, any harsh thoughts remain. let the
miSts unfold all that is not the rO
To- nance of Wharf.-The drawing together
i in fraternal love of those who have
l suffered This is the prayer o.
France. Together with the gratitude
70 of her living. there is the stirring
u memory OF her dead. It carried it;
; message to YOU as Il blessing from
It those who. because of your gallan
7 sacrifice. shall NOT have given thei
y lives in vain
The memorial in fact, is histor
- in tabloid form Of America partC
u patton in the war beginning wit
Cantigny where the gallant First d
vision made history, to the attack 81
the heights of Sedan, just before thu
IarmiStice was granted.
The soldiers of the American EXpc
dictionary force who WoOed and Wol
y brides among the French people vii
} find most Interesting that portion O
the memorial which deals with tn
home life OF France.
A supply of these memorials ha
; been shipped TO Col T.. w Tanner
army recruiting station, Peoria, thru
- the recruiting publicity bureau .
= New York. which is acting as the dis
l. tributing agency for the French Gov
eminent On receipt. they will be is
! sued 20 every man entitled to receiV
!. it-pr0Ot Of which will be the sold
u irrs' discharge certificate. The iOCa
u recruiting office will receive 3Oo cor
l les to start with. and more as the
/ are needed.