The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-07-06
DEAR HAZEL:

4:l5 June ~. 1914
DEAR HAZEL:
This is probably a little surprise, but
at the same time a letter you have per-
haps expected some time ago, and I'm
ashamed for not having written sooner.
I am guilty, / nave no excuse, and ask
your forgiveness. Many time | attempt
ed to write, q few interruptions, tired
out and something interferred.
We are off the front now Hazel and
that's one reason l can write. I wrote
2 letters not long ago in a slit trench
while German shells were falling close
enough to make US very uncomfortable.
When you heard the news about Rome
falling, my men and ] were probably
sitting on the steps of some beautiful
building. We were the first troops to
enter Rome. (our Dfv.). Wished you
could have been along Hazel, because
you would have enjoyed it very, very
much. We did too, but our feet and
bodies ached until all we wanted was
a place to sprawl out, which turned out
to be Main Street. The people welcomed
us with open arms. The were lined up
from the outskirts of Rome to the other
side of it. They patted us on the backs,
grabbed our hands, kissed many Of my
boys. While going in, there was a man
with his boy about 3 years old. ] smiled
and stopped a moment. His dad picked
him up and the little boy leaned over
and kissed me. | thought that was a
fine gesture. Then out along the way
people gave US bread, cheese, wine for
those who drink, candy, cakes, roses,
and many other thing including lettuce.
While on the steps of a famous school
some girls came around to talk to us.
To be frank, even though | was very
tired, ! took a peep at them. Some of
my boys rated kisses, but | wasn't that
fortunate. A New Years Eve could not
have been more exciting. All noise.
cheering, Italians girls riding on the
jeeps and trucks with our soldiers, bells
and everything else, reminded me of
New Years Eve in Miami, Fla, in 1871
when we played in the Orange Bowl
there. It's something all Of us will re-
member.
| know all YOU people at home we're
Disguised with our slow progress and
had | been at home ! would have felt
the same. But no one but the men who
climbed these mountains which go
straight up in the air, going days with
nothing to eat know the reason. If there
was no opposition going up the noun
tains it would be very slow going. The
rocks were very hard on the feet and
supplies came by mule trains over the
mountains. You know all about the
Gustav and Hitler line. We were a great
part in breaking that. We captured more
prisoners and gained more ground in
less time than any other Division on the
Italian front. The Germans who knew
our insignia shoulder patch) said we
were crazy and wouldn't stop for any,
thing. General Reyes paid a visit to our
Company yesterday and made one of
the finest talks I've ever heard. We were
not expecting him, but made a good
showing. He was interested in the indi-
vidual men and small units for after all
they were the ones who won battles.
One Of the most magnificent things
l have visited is st. Peters Cathedral.
It's too wonderful for words and de-
seription. The beautiful paintings and
statues Of Christ. the Apostles, gold
affairs. marble. and structure can't be
put into words by the human beings.
Many saw The Pope, were given a pic
ture and talk to him. and kissed his
royal ring. but he was away the day !
visited. Someday I'll tell you about il.
Also I've seen "This is The Army.
with Irving Berlin and the actual cast
that made the picture in the most beau
tiful Opera House I've ever laid eyes
on. The color scenes were gorgeous.
And the blonde boy that sang with
MY Head in the Clouds. was really
good. Mark Clark has really been good
to US.
Hazel, ! can't tell you the Division
I'm in because of regulations, but look
ct my APO number and you'll know
Many papers have written much about
us and We are sure it's the best here
and are proud to be a member of it.
l know you're tired of reading, so III
bring At to halt. One other thing. Two
of my men went with me to st. Peters
Cathedral and though we were not
Catholics, We kneeled at the Altar and
gave thanks to God for His love, His
for US, His kindness thru all the
torture we've been thru, and a prayer
Tor our loved one at home. 1t was a
privilege I'll never forget. | used to
to get in the Air Corp, but thank