TRANSCRIBED FROM THE VAN BUREN COUNTY DEMOCRAT JUNE 7 1918 P. 1
Camp Beauregard, La., May 25th
Editor Democrat
Clinton, Arkansas.
DEAR SIR:
Through your paper I wish to improve a last opportunity of addressing a few remarks to my many friends in Van Buren county. I would have been pleased with the privilege of visiting homefolks and friends before going “over there” to help get the kaiser, but it seems that I have finished my training here and that I must now do my (MISSING PAPER) the world war.
I am longing for the day when this world has been made safe for democracy–a country which we can all be proud of. We feel that the people at home are making a great sacrifice for we boys who have already been called to the colors and hope that some day you will be richly rewarded for making the sacrifices you are making.
There sure is a fine bunch of Arkansas boys down here. All seem to be in good physical condition and anxious to go after the kaiser and his bunch. We have spent the past six months in hard physical training in preparation for the task which we are about to undertake. Only those who have stood the training will get to go across now; I have stood the training fine and have not been in the hospital a single day since I have been in Camp Beauregard.
If these few lines escape the waste basket, I shall probably write again from “Somewhere in France.” Wishing the Democrat and its many readers much success and hoping someday to return and meet all face to face when the world has been made safe for democracy, I am,
Respectfully yours,
ELMER A. NEAL,
Co. A, 153 Inf.
NOTES: Elmer Allen Neal was born in Morganton, Arkansas on January 17, 1893 and died in Conway, Arkansas on August 6, 1970. He is buried in the Crestview Memorial Park in Conway. He enlisted on September 9, 1917 and was discharged on May 21, 1919. He served as a Pvt. in 153rd US Army Casual Detachment 16th Rec. Bn. 162nd Depot Brigade. He departed Hoboken, NJ on June 7, 1918 onboard the Manchuria. He was serving as a Pvt. in the 153rd Infantry Co. 4 Camp Beauregard June Automatic Replacement Draft Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Camp Beauregard, La., May 25th
Editor Democrat
Clinton, Arkansas.
DEAR SIR:
Through your paper I wish to improve a last opportunity of addressing a few remarks to my many friends in Van Buren county. I would have been pleased with the privilege of visiting homefolks and friends before going “over there” to help get the kaiser, but it seems that I have finished my training here and that I must now do my (MISSING PAPER) the world war.
I am longing for the day when this world has been made safe for democracy–a country which we can all be proud of. We feel that the people at home are making a great sacrifice for we boys who have already been called to the colors and hope that some day you will be richly rewarded for making the sacrifices you are making.
There sure is a fine bunch of Arkansas boys down here. All seem to be in good physical condition and anxious to go after the kaiser and his bunch. We have spent the past six months in hard physical training in preparation for the task which we are about to undertake. Only those who have stood the training will get to go across now; I have stood the training fine and have not been in the hospital a single day since I have been in Camp Beauregard.
If these few lines escape the waste basket, I shall probably write again from “Somewhere in France.” Wishing the Democrat and its many readers much success and hoping someday to return and meet all face to face when the world has been made safe for democracy, I am,
Respectfully yours,
ELMER A. NEAL,
Co. A, 153 Inf.
NOTES: Elmer Allen Neal was born in Morganton, Arkansas on January 17, 1893 and died in Conway, Arkansas on August 6, 1970. He is buried in the Crestview Memorial Park in Conway. He enlisted on September 9, 1917 and was discharged on May 21, 1919. He served as a Pvt. in 153rd US Army Casual Detachment 16th Rec. Bn. 162nd Depot Brigade. He departed Hoboken, NJ on June 7, 1918 onboard the Manchuria. He was serving as a Pvt. in the 153rd Infantry Co. 4 Camp Beauregard June Automatic Replacement Draft Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD