The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-10-27

ar-,rh contributor can always reel
The Red Cross was a beacon |
=. - our boys in a foreign land, |
80 foreign people" is the message |
re American people from Miss |
.Sarine Bullock who served with |
ned Cross canteen overseas for
sc returning TO this country in
august -,
-.a,fres OF the southern division, A
|, r with headquarters in Atlanta.
<. had Just received orders to sail
-, the armistice was signed, these
rs were cancelled on order from
= war department, but later she was
.,as.ad to go overseas for service.
~ readily responded.
since returning to this country Miss
,sr,ck has been visiting at her form
:. home near Montgomery.
sse i the sister of Mr.. and Mrs. ].
r bullock Of Pensacola. She had
.apned 10 visit here the last of this
~orths but was prevented from doing
She leaves for Washington, d. c.
nj New York City and win go to
,,ser points before returning to Jack
.,nyiue in November.
Sailed in March.
Miss Bullock sailed from New York
~ last of March and on her arrival
/, Paris was appointed to serve in
rayrs She considered herself very
fo-runate in this appointment as
To.rs is about fifty miles from Paris.
town Of about $1,000 population in
,bo heart OF the Chateau district, con-
.5ered the most beautiful part of
France.
m telling of her work Miss Bullock
said:
Having been assigned TO the Tours
casual canteen, l reported there on
Ap-iI the fourteenth for duty.
The canteen consisted of four
qy.cllv constructed barracks, the
work Of the local boys, about 80 by
"a feet and was situated in the lovely
II Prefecture garden of Tours. Three
bindings were for sleeping quarters
and one for the canteen proper. The
GARDEN was very much like one of
Jur beautifully shaded parks covering
about ten acres and enclosed by wall
Twelve feet high. In the center a
natural spring and large pond added
much to its beauty and in one end was
the trees was the favorite place fol-
the boys TO take their maps or read
wlrSe waiting for their trains
Canteen for Casuals.
As the canteen was for casuals
only a guard was always placed al
the gate They were furnished by the
local marines and to them we owe
many thanks for their help so willing
y given in every way, four of these
boys were always with us on x. p
duty.
The three barracks used for sleepin
quarters accommodated about fort
boys each, one being used for casua
nurses. Between the boys barrack
/ We're shower baths with hot and col
water plenty of soap and towel:
Fresh underclothes could be had b
turning in their soiled ones.
HomeIike Atmosphere.
In the canteen proper and rest roor
which were all in one, every effort wa
made TO make it as home like as pos
sible Red and white checked curtain
hung 10 the windows and the small "a
bles placed down each side of III
canteen were covered with the red an
white checked oil cloth. In the cen
ter and one end of the room stood
table with chewing gum, candy, chg
arettes and matches and at the othe
end a piano for dancing A small pal
at the back of the room was used &c
the rest by a counter in front c
which the boys We're served in nr
carrying their plates to the tables.
one corner a writing desk and ma
box were kept busy. Quantities
flowers which are especially beautifl
in France, We're kept on each table.
Pajamas, handkerchiefs, sweater
magazines and comfort bags contain
ing soap tooth brush and paste, sma
comb. wash rag, shaving brush, Gig
erettes and matches were distribute
to every one.
Special Occasions.
Mothers Day and the Fourth OF Ju
| we're observed On Mothers Day il
cream was served in the garden FRO
a flower covered booth to each bt
who dropped a letter to mother in
near by basket provided for that pu
| pose. Needless to say the basket W;
filled on the fourth the canteen W;
decorated with a number of flags al
special cherry pie with tiny America
/ flags stuck in them were served wit
i the meals. In the evening fireworl
were distributed among the boys ar
displayed in the garden, and a speci
band furnished music for dancing. I
the project on this day was sent
cherry pit gaily decorted with tn
small flags. he showing his apprecia
ton himself and family joining US fc
the fireworks. On these special occa
sions the local boys were always in
vited, and the invitation was respond
ed TO in great numbers.
The canteen opened in Novembe
l9lS and closed on July the fifteent
With Mrs Jefferson Kean directres
Serving an average of90O men a da
and keeping open day and night. TIE
girls We're stationed there, three work