Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1944-12-22
Regional
Views
By Richard Gosser
Director Region 2B, UAW,ClO

AT this time of year, our thoughts cannot
help but turn to our boys who are seeing serv-
ice in the far flung corners of the world in
bloody combat not of their choosing.
In times like these, it does seem bit out
of place to extend our Christmas greetings of
peace and good will when the whole world is
torn with conflict, suffering and bloodshed.
But the men in the armed forces do not
thinking of their homes and families and they
are wishing that it will be Merry Christmas
for the loved ones at home. They will remem-
Der the other and happier Christmas seasons
of past years, and the memory will give them
both pain and pleasure.
REMEMBER SERvICEMEN
Because of the work which our boys are
doing to defeat the fascist nations and drive
tyranny from Europe and Asia, we should be
particularly anxious to provide all we can for
our armed mems Christmas.
Our union recognizing the sentiments and
feelings of the boys at this time of the year,
has sent out thousands of boxes containing
many things which the boys need and want
We have done this, not only because we want
to show boys that their union organiza-
ton remembers them and wants to keep their
to show our sentiments which do not spring
from selfish but from higher feelings
l don't think there is anything too good
for our soldiers. The sacrifices they max
ing for should not and cannot be measured
in dollars and cents, or in any other material
way These are the things of the spirit No
matter how much do for our boys and
hope we can do even more, we cannot begin
to repay them for the things they are doing,
the sacrifices which they are making and
will continue to make.
WRITE LETTERS
Those of us who have friends or relative
in the armed forces, should not let this Christi
mas season pass without sending a letter or
card to the fellows to let them know that we
remember and that we do care. know that
thousands of our fellows from the UAWCIO
have received such letters and cards, and
know we earn the thanks and devotion of the
boys whom we remember.
Finally, the folks who remain at home
have many things to be thankful for on this
Christmas day. Our cities have not been re-
duced to ruins of ruble. Our factories are
operating, our trains are running, everything
moves and goes on as though there were not
war going on in the world.
Most of us are making fair living, eating
we'll, living in fairly decent homes which are
warm and comfortable. We scarcely realize
there is war, except that we have all been
touched in some way, large or small by it
through the Wounding loss of someone we
know or to whom we are related. Our Christ
mas need not be unhappy, and it can be
merry.
From the letters which | receive from
hundreds of our boys in service, l know that
they want us to have a Merry Christmas, and
it makes them happy and gives them the spirit
of the season just to wish something for us
which they cannot enjoy in the same measure
which we do.
Feeling as l do, and knowing the senti-
ments of the men who doing their part in
the actual fighting, l want to wish everyone,
the officers of local unions, those in the shops,
those in the homes of our workers. their wives
and families, and all those who are serving in
the armed forces, Merry Christmas and all
deeper spiritual joys which are associated with
this season.
A Merry Christmas to you all!
Richard Gosser.