TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HOT SPRINGS NEW ERA DECEMBER 16, 1918 P. 8
Dear Mother and Dad:
Just a few lines to let you know that I am feeling fine and dandy and will feel better when I get my discharge from the army. I suppose all Hot Springs celebrated when they heard the great news. Sure wish I could have been there and joined in. How are you feeling by now. Gee, I feel better than I have for a long time. And I have taken everything easy since leaving the hospital and don’t intend to do much from now on. All the boys are naturally anxious to leave now since the war is over. This regiment is one of the first to be mustered out. Does that sound good to you? I am proud however, even though I will not see overseas duty, that I have been of some good to my country and have had the uniform on. Of course the biggest part of the glory goes to the boys over there, but I will say this much for the Spruce Production Division-the soldiers have suffered hardships too. In all kinds of weather they have gone into the woods and cut the spruce that has been used in the allied airplanes. We have worked for less when you consider what the shipyard men get, than any other unit used in this country for construction work. When through with work we have trained for real warfare, and while we were tired after eight hours of hard work, we enjoyed our drill. If the war had continued it was the intention of the war department to form a regiment of able bodied men for overseas duty. Of course that is called off now, as orders for demobilization hits us about first. Nevertheless the battle is won. I give all the credit to the boys over there and only hope that we will soon see them on this side where we can show them in a true American way how proud we are of them. I have had my share of the experience with spruce, fir, hemlocked larch, aso flue and pneumonia, and if by my labor I have contributed something to winning this war I am very grateful. Would do the same over again if necessary.
Another very remarkable feat of the “Cut Up Plant” here in Vancouver is the number of feet of lumber cut a day. Over one million a day or about thirty-five million a month. That is some record.
Well, it’s practically all over now and we are all happy. This coming Christmas will be a joyful one, and will find many boys home.
Will “chop off” here and write more later. Give all my very best. Ruth is well and you can imagine-pleased about the present conditions.
With lots of love to both from both.
SAM
NOTES: This letter is written by Sam A. Palmer to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Palmer. He was writing from Vancouver Barracks.
TRANSCRIBED BY CHLOE SMITH
Dear Mother and Dad:
Just a few lines to let you know that I am feeling fine and dandy and will feel better when I get my discharge from the army. I suppose all Hot Springs celebrated when they heard the great news. Sure wish I could have been there and joined in. How are you feeling by now. Gee, I feel better than I have for a long time. And I have taken everything easy since leaving the hospital and don’t intend to do much from now on. All the boys are naturally anxious to leave now since the war is over. This regiment is one of the first to be mustered out. Does that sound good to you? I am proud however, even though I will not see overseas duty, that I have been of some good to my country and have had the uniform on. Of course the biggest part of the glory goes to the boys over there, but I will say this much for the Spruce Production Division-the soldiers have suffered hardships too. In all kinds of weather they have gone into the woods and cut the spruce that has been used in the allied airplanes. We have worked for less when you consider what the shipyard men get, than any other unit used in this country for construction work. When through with work we have trained for real warfare, and while we were tired after eight hours of hard work, we enjoyed our drill. If the war had continued it was the intention of the war department to form a regiment of able bodied men for overseas duty. Of course that is called off now, as orders for demobilization hits us about first. Nevertheless the battle is won. I give all the credit to the boys over there and only hope that we will soon see them on this side where we can show them in a true American way how proud we are of them. I have had my share of the experience with spruce, fir, hemlocked larch, aso flue and pneumonia, and if by my labor I have contributed something to winning this war I am very grateful. Would do the same over again if necessary.
Another very remarkable feat of the “Cut Up Plant” here in Vancouver is the number of feet of lumber cut a day. Over one million a day or about thirty-five million a month. That is some record.
Well, it’s practically all over now and we are all happy. This coming Christmas will be a joyful one, and will find many boys home.
Will “chop off” here and write more later. Give all my very best. Ruth is well and you can imagine-pleased about the present conditions.
With lots of love to both from both.
SAM
NOTES: This letter is written by Sam A. Palmer to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Palmer. He was writing from Vancouver Barracks.
TRANSCRIBED BY CHLOE SMITH