TRANSCRIBED FROM THE JONESBORO EVENING SUN MAY 17, 1918 P. 3.
Mother’s Day, May 12, 1918.
Dear Mother:
Mother, I am writing you as your true son and a loyal soldier, who is in the service under the stars and stripes, fighting for two of the largest questions that face the world today and this is Democracy and Humanity.
Today is May 12, 1918, and is known throughout our nation as Mother’s Day.
It was issued by our great President Woodrow Wilson, to we, boys who are in khaki to show our due respect and love as son. Not only the boys in uniform who are training in different cantonments in the United States, but the boys who are in France have been requested to write.
Gen. John P. Pershing, Commanding Officer of the American forces abroad says, “I wish every officer and soldier in the Expeditionary forces would write a letter home on Mother’s Day. This is a little thing to do but those letters will carry back our courage and affection to the patriotic women, whose love and prayers inspire and cheer us on to victory.”
Don’t think for one moment that I am dissatisfied or discouraged as I am in good spirits, for I am thinking of you each day and every day during my stay away from you.
When I hear the word “Mother” it makes a deep and strong impression on my heart, and mind that I have a mother and her love.
I may well remember today as it is a day which starts a new month that I have stayed away from you, and just one more month and it will be six months since I left.
Now Mother, this is just a personal letter written to you in accord- to Mother’s Day.
I must close for the present and hope that I may hear from you real soon.
Lovingly,
Your Soldier Son,
Eagle D. McGowan.
NOTES: Eagle Dennis “Dean” McGowan was born July 21, 1895 and died June 26, 1972. He was from Jonesboro, Craighead County. His military headstone identifies him as a Cpl. in the U. S. Army. He is buried in the Herman Cemetery in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Mother’s Day, May 12, 1918.
Dear Mother:
Mother, I am writing you as your true son and a loyal soldier, who is in the service under the stars and stripes, fighting for two of the largest questions that face the world today and this is Democracy and Humanity.
Today is May 12, 1918, and is known throughout our nation as Mother’s Day.
It was issued by our great President Woodrow Wilson, to we, boys who are in khaki to show our due respect and love as son. Not only the boys in uniform who are training in different cantonments in the United States, but the boys who are in France have been requested to write.
Gen. John P. Pershing, Commanding Officer of the American forces abroad says, “I wish every officer and soldier in the Expeditionary forces would write a letter home on Mother’s Day. This is a little thing to do but those letters will carry back our courage and affection to the patriotic women, whose love and prayers inspire and cheer us on to victory.”
Don’t think for one moment that I am dissatisfied or discouraged as I am in good spirits, for I am thinking of you each day and every day during my stay away from you.
When I hear the word “Mother” it makes a deep and strong impression on my heart, and mind that I have a mother and her love.
I may well remember today as it is a day which starts a new month that I have stayed away from you, and just one more month and it will be six months since I left.
Now Mother, this is just a personal letter written to you in accord- to Mother’s Day.
I must close for the present and hope that I may hear from you real soon.
Lovingly,
Your Soldier Son,
Eagle D. McGowan.
NOTES: Eagle Dennis “Dean” McGowan was born July 21, 1895 and died June 26, 1972. He was from Jonesboro, Craighead County. His military headstone identifies him as a Cpl. in the U. S. Army. He is buried in the Herman Cemetery in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT