The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-16
Rurnors of
Character of Men
ArmyO Occupation
Montabour, Germany.
July 9th, 1919.

uulJ . 'OhI A"AS'
Editor Greeneville Sun,
Greeneville, Tenn,
Dear Mr.. Editor
Learning that my other letter
found space in the Sun, mgoing
to write again.
| am still in Germany and enjoy
ing good health, friends, if that's any
news to you. About the only signs
I've seen or heard Of this outfit, com
ing home are rumors. Probably you
have heard them yourself. Speaking
Of rumors reminds me of certain
rumor we have heard concerning the
class of men that are left here in
Germany, and | wish to make little
comment on that rumor.
We have learned through rumors
that it is the general opinion of the
Aemrican people that all of the sol
diers are back now except a class of
men that have Infected some disease
or that were put in the mill for some
offense or other, and are left here
in labor battalion. 1t is my desire
to let the readers of the Sun know
that the rumor is false, or our people
have been misled by tales told by
soldiers that have been discharged
Most all of the soldiers that are now
serving in Germany are old men that
have been in the most and toughest
hardships of the war. They we're the
first in the lines and were in all of
the offensive drives made by the
American forces, except those that
made the supreme sacrifice. The
hardships of these men can only be
realized by men that have had similar
experiences-and Pm not speaking
of myself, as I've only witnessed a
part Of the hardships most of these
men have; and ! want the readers of
the Sun to know that there's not a
better class of Americans anywhere
on an average than those now serving
in Germany.
also want to speak a few words
in behalf of the regular soldier. You
know It used to be the opinion Of
most people that the regular soldier
was only a bum, that he either had
no home or else he had committed
some crime and joined the army to
dodge the law, or something of this
kind. We were content to think OF
them in this way until Old Glory was
furled in battle. When war was de-
clared our opinions quickly changed
and we praised the soldier above
everybody, because we felt that he
was protecting what we valued most
sacred. | have been serving with q
regular outft-most of the men being
emergency men, as most of the regu
lars were killed or wounded. So lei
us not drift back to the former opin
ion as we are again at peace. Let Vi
look at it this way: Some one mus
patrol our barders and serve under
the colors to keep America great anC
strong. Let us look at the soldier
life as a profession and continue tt
respect him.
We have heard here that it was al
awful hard job for a returned soldie
to find work. And while I'll admi
that this doesn't apply to the boys o
Greene county, yet | wish to expires
my opinion on the subject. | Ger
tainly believe that there is work TO
every American boy if they reall.
want to work. Now don't you agre'
with me? And furthermore, I'll ven
ture to say that the majority of re
turned soldiers that have not fount
work in a short time after their re
turn home, are men that never hac
any work or didn't want to work be
fore they entered the service.
don't blame any man for taking a lit
tie vacation when he first gets home
for he deserves it. Yet there is alb
solutely no use of any one sitting
down and saying that he has done hi
service for America, for if he think
soberly he will realize that his ser
vice has only begun.
Well, friends / had better close al
it is about "chow" time and you know
no soldier ever wants to miss being uI
for his mess.
have no idea when I'll get bacl
home, but certainly hope it won't b.
very long.
Yours for service,
nnnnT nnCn nmmTATTED