War Service Letters 



471 



one from Ruth Burchard, of September i8th; and last, but far from 

 least, the "community" letter, written September 29th by all you good 

 folks at Lake Lagunitas. The above list looks like a roster of the 

 Sierra Club, does it not? Well, I want to tell you from the bottom of 

 my heart how deeply I appreciate every word written me. If time and 

 circumstance would only permit me, I would answer every one of the 

 kind and thoughtful folks who devoted their time to cheer me up, and 

 if tl Of -"ortunity does present itself I will write them ; but I want you 

 to ' mk them for me and express my deepest gratitude for every 

 checi-y word they sent me. I spent many a pleasant tick of the clock 

 visiting with you all, and it indeed was some visit. I hope the day is 

 not far distant that I will be able to express my appreciation to you all 

 other than by a French lead-pencil. My feelings toward the Sierra 

 Club, and that means the good people in it, have increased a thousand- 

 fold. I always considered being among you one of my greatest pleas- 

 ures, but since being over here I have fully grown to appreciate what 

 the meaning of good fellowship is. I don't believe anyone feels that 

 keen sensation unless they have gone through what the boys have over 

 here. It seems to have awakened a new spirit in me, one that is hard to 

 describe, but fills a person up to the brim and to the bursting-point. I 

 know that each member that is doing his bit on this side of the Atlantic 

 has this same feeling toward you all at home who are doing all to 

 make our days as cheerful as possible. 



I constantly keep my eye open for any fellow club members that are 

 over here, but during all my wanderings I have never met any. This 

 world is small, however, and there is no telling when and where I may 

 come across one or more of my old 8:15 friends. 



Since last writing you I have been transferred back to my old com- 

 pany. Am doing the same line of work — telephonist. My address is at 

 foot of letter. My mail is all being sent to me here from the 182nd 

 Brigade headquarters, so I will not miss getting any mail matter. As 

 you know, no one can send any parcels to the boys over here without a 

 written authorized request. However, Uncle Sam has raised no ob- 

 jection to folks at home putting a stick or two of chewing-gum in their 

 letters. If any kind-hearted Sierrans have an extra piece buried away 

 somewhere, they would be giving me a treat if they would enclose it in 

 their letter when they write to me. This will be a good chance for 

 dropping me a few lines. Gum is a scarce commodity over here, more 

 so than candy. 



It is now 3 :30 in the morning. Am on watch from midnight to 8 

 A. M. Things are as quiet as a church-mouse, with the exception of a 

 fellow comrade who unintentionally is giving me a fine imitation of 

 how a trombone should be played. But even his snoring is more sooth- 

 ing to the nerves than Fritzie's "Whiz-Bangs" and "Big Berthas." 



I deeply regret that I can not use a camera. The pictures I could 

 take would prove to be of wonderful value and something historic. But 



