Smyrna times., 1944-08-17

Will Sdlt dllu udppy iSlulu iiOiii
duty.
South Pacific
Dear Dribbles:
Just few lines to let you know
l am o. K. This also includes my
Buddies who are stationed nearby.
1 have been receiving your col
umn regularly and mighty glad to
get it. But, as for myself and my
two or three Buddies, who hail
from nearby Smyrna and Clayton,
we have a grippe we want to get
off our chests. This does not in
any way reflect on you. You are
surely doing your part as a citizen
to try and keep us informed of
what is going on around the COM
munity. However, every time we
receive a newspaper we read where
some of our local Boys have been
home on furlough and having a
grand time. Or we read about
the great events held for Service
men. Here we are in the South
Pacific and cannot get the oppor-
tunity to see anything like that.
We have read where the old
198th was broken up. and most of
the Boys are now back in the
States. Yet, we were unfortunate
to become members of their Com
mand when we We're INDICTED back
in April 1941. We have been over
seas for over two years, and have
never once, during that time, had
the chance to see civilization. Do
you think that is fair to us?
We know that a number of our
dear friends have paid the full cost
of the treachery that was visited
upon us. Because of this, we send
our deepest sympathy to the loved
ones of these men. This statement
is meant to include the families of
the men who have paid the SUI
Fpreme sacrifice in all theatres Of
war-the European, North African,
Burma and Pacific.
The men who were sent over to
England at least had the oppor-
tunity of living in a civilized coun-
try, where recreation were afforded
them on a grand scale compared
to those which we have out here.
We have looked at jungles so long,
that tint funny any more.
Our outfit has been through two
of the toughest battles on the Pa
cific area, and what credit have we
received? Not even break in
over two years. We have served
in rough terrain and jungle during
this time. So, don't you think it
is time for some of, our citizens to
get on the ball and see that we are
considered along with the rest of
the Boys?
Of course, we read all about the
rotation plan, which is just a
morale builder for mothers and
dads same as mine. One has a
swell chance out of few thousand
and you know what that means.
We feel that we have done a great
deal of our part over here, and de-
serve a break. So why can't we
get the opportunity to receive a
furlough so that we may see our
loved ones along with the rest ?
You citizens know as well as we do
that there are plenty of Service
men in the States who could re-
lieve us. BY that, l mean the ones
of us who have spent over two
years in these infested jungles. We
would be only too willing to do our
part again, were it possible for us
to get back home for visit.
All of us know that we have a
job to do, and were selected to do
it. We can, and will do it, but we
simply can't go on like this for
ever without a break, one battle
after another. What do you say
Dribbles-what is your personal
opinion? And what is the latest
regarding this rotation plan?
know that you will think this
letter out of ordinary, but it is true
facts. I am writing this on be-
half of my Buddies and me.
Hoping to hear from you soon,
remain
i Pvt Paul L Couardol La