1919 LETTER #9:

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LETTER SUMMARY:
The last letter in the Harold W. (Bootus) Chapman collection is the only one that is specifically written FROM AMERICA TO Harold while he is still serving overseas.

A lady friend writes an excellent "Home Front" letter" to Harold in an attractive hand. She includes a detailed description of how thousands of people in Reading, Massachusetts turned-out for a "Comunite" (Sic) day to build a Memorial Park -- dedicated to all of the soldiers who served from the city -- and to those who died in the War.

The writer also consoles Harold for the homesickness he must feel and encourages him that he has survived the War and will soon be home "hoping you will return safe to God's own country soon."

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SOME EXCERPTS FROM THIS LETTER:


6 pages, ink

Reading, Mass.
May 2, 1919

My dear friend Harold;

Did I tell you we were going to have what they call a Comunite (Sic) Day? Well we had it about three weeks ago, on the 18th of April which is a holiday around here.

At eight in the morning the church bells all rang and all the whistles blew, and lot of men, women, and children, with hoes, shovels, and rakes all marched to the grounds down Salem St, that has been given to the town of Reading, for a Park and Playground and there they worked until noon time.

Each one that worked was given a tag and they lined up to a large Circus Tent and was all supplied with dinner, which was hot Frankfort's and rolls, potato salad, baked beans, and pie and coffee. Then they all had their pictures taken, and started to work again.

They say there was over three thousand on the grounds. In the afternoon trees were planted in honor of all the Boys that went to France from Reading, and a large stone with the names of the soldiers who gave their lives over there, was placed near the entrance of the grounds, and for two minutes, work was stopped and all was to offer prayers for the Boys Over There and in honor of the dead. And at four o'clock all stopped work and enjoyed a Circus, and that completed the day.
[...]

I suppose you are more or less homesick at times, and I really don't blame you any, for Home certainly is the best place after all, but cheer up Harold, it won't be long now until you will be home for good, and it will seem so much nicer to you when you do get back, and you really should be very thankful to your God, that you were not one of the many that has been called on to make that great sacrifice, and I feel sure you have not been wounded to any great extent or you would have been sent home long ago. So you sure have lots to be thankful for. So cheer up it will all seem like a dream someday.
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Hoping you will return safe to God's own country soon.

I remain as ever your friend,
Glad. B.

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