Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-01-02
INTERESTING LETTER FROM q
SOLDIER IN BELGIUM

by Mrs. l.. II. Sisco Of Kintyre from
her son, Lee, now in Belgium:
Somewhere in Belgium,
November %, 1913.
Dear Mother, Sisters, Brothers and
All:
Mother, mine, yesterday was faith
er's day and / could not write as we
were making thirty kilometer march
but / hope today will do.
In memory Of the strongest and
truest father man ever had, l will
write my Fathers Day letter to you,
sweet mother of mine. He was the
greatest of men in this world to me
always, and with what I know of the
world now, dearest mother, I know
now what father ] had. My only
prayer while | have baen away from
home is that with the example of
his life and our life with him, that I
might each day grow more like him
and be more worthy to be his son and
yours. | am proud, mother mine,
~ ohs eilth 4 ''iii ~ SV'iiCi, anu Lilt
son of much better soldier and man
than l ever will be. wish ] might
tell you all my dear ores at home
how much dear Dads life has been
to me through the test that have
been through
have felt his presence many times
in my life as soldier, just as ! have
felt the prayers and love of my dear
ones at home. All that is good in me
l owe to him and you, my dear moth
er. How we'll / remember his words
to me when ] left home the first time
for school, and how true his words
have proved. How mAh he knew of
life, and how he loved us all and lived
his life to keep us from the unpleas-
ant things of life. His words were.
"My son, your mother and / have
brought you up nearly to manhood
and shielded you from temptation
You have no bad habits that l know
Of; you are a good boy" Now, hs
said, "You are leaving homei you
will run into temptations good and
bad. You will try them all. But
remember this: What you take up ~
habits you will have to live with.
You are taking them np for life.
We have protected you all We could
from now on it is up TO you. We
have done all in our power.
There is = life story in thoss few
words, little mother; they show his
whole life and strength-just q few
single words.
At all times ! have not bsen wor-
thy Of you both, but how many times
while forming my habits his words
have come to me. I have come
through this great struggle better
man. I havs come through danger
and hardships, not in my own
strength, but simply because of your
prayers and his watchfulness and life
example.
I have felt his strength and love
and protection many, many times.
together with your sweetess, and love
and prayers, my mother. How love
you and how good you have been to
me. With Gods help, may be more
worthy Of such father, and you, my
sweet mother.
| All you at home have been very
good to me in writing, and it is
shame that did not get more chance
to write home. know how you have
counted the days and watched the
mail for letters from me, but it has
been no lack of love on my part that
coused the long period of time be-.
tween letters.
Belgium is much prettier country
than France, and the fighting up here
was like going to a picnic here at
last in comparison to the fighting in
France. ! claim that I have seen
England, France and Belgium on
foot. Ha, ha.
have been to the front four times
and saw days upon days Of honest to
Gcd fighting, but came through
without a scratch where chances were
very slim.
A man never knows what he can
stand until he is tired out. would
not. have missed any Of my army
experiences for anything, and there
is nothing that would make me want
to repeat any Of it. It seems to be
all over now but the shouting, and
that is going to be over done, ha, ha.
I was at the front when the armistica
was declared, and It was = relief to
get the order to cease firing - it
passed up.
There does not seem 10 Be much
left for ~ 70 do but . little crack
drilling and parading and coming
home, and I hope that is not - be
far OF.
II II mass time now, - I WIN have
L q . - - -