TRANSCRIBED FROM THE VAN BUREN COUNTY DEMOCRAT MAY 2, 1919 P. 1
Meinborn, Germany, April 12.
EDITOR DEMOCRAT,
Clinton, Arkansas.
DEAR SIR:
Will you give space to one of the A.E.F. boys who owes a number of letters to friends at home and who finds your paper the only means of reaching all, as our incoming and outgoing mail will be discontinued tomorrow, the 13th. This division, the 32d, is to leave our area on the Rhine the 22d and is to be the first to sail for home in May.
We are located in a small village 10 killometers beyond the Rhine. The two largest towns near us are Coblenz and Neuwied. Passes are issued to both places at all times, I having had one pass to the latter and two to the former.
At Neuwied I witnessed a very interesting game of foot ball between the 32d and 2d divisions. On my first trip to Coblenz I saw nothing much but the town, but on my last trip I spent three days and saw some very interesting scenes, among them being the ex-kaiser's palace, "Stolzenfels," also "Ehrenbreitstein," one of the strongest forts in Germany.
While at Coblenz I also met my brother-in-law, Otis L. Wilson, whom I had not seen since leaving Camp Pike. He was the first home boy I had seen since the 10th of last September, and of course I was glad to see someone whom I had formerly known.
I have had several letters from some of the boys over here and learn that some of them are getting back home. Am expecting to be there soon myself.
I have been in Europe eight months yesterday. During that time I have been over France, Belgium, Luxemburg and into Germany. Have had many interesting experiences and learned many lessons that will be worth much to me, but I wouldn't give one penny for another such trip. Think I will go over above countries again, as we go back to Brest for embarkation.
We are no longer in the army of occupation. It is now S.O.S. We have one hour's drill of mornings and the afternoons are spent in playing ball. Our company has a seven-game schedule which starts the 13th.
I have been in this town since December 28th and haven't missed but two days writing one or more letters. Now that I get no more mail and write no more letters I will be a little lonesome. The time is soon coming when we will be coming home and all are anxious, but when we separate from those whose friendship we have formed it is going to be hard, for friendships formed under such conditions are going to be lasting.
Trusting you will give space for these few lines and that my friends may know why I am not answering their letters personally, I am forever, a friend to Van Buren county.
WILLIAM P. SHETLEY,
M.G. Co., 126th Inf., A.P.O. 734 F.
NOTES: William Porter Shetley was born on May 29, 1891 and died on April 4, 1971. He is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Pryor, Oklahoma. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Pvt. serving in 125th Infantry in World War I. He departed Hoboken, NJ on August 3, 1918 onboard the Leviathan. He was a Pvt. serving in Camp Pike July Automatic Replacement Draft Co. #1 Infantry. He departed Brest, France on April 4, 1919 onboard the Luckenbach. He was serving as a Pvt. in MG Co. 126th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Meinborn, Germany, April 12.
EDITOR DEMOCRAT,
Clinton, Arkansas.
DEAR SIR:
Will you give space to one of the A.E.F. boys who owes a number of letters to friends at home and who finds your paper the only means of reaching all, as our incoming and outgoing mail will be discontinued tomorrow, the 13th. This division, the 32d, is to leave our area on the Rhine the 22d and is to be the first to sail for home in May.
We are located in a small village 10 killometers beyond the Rhine. The two largest towns near us are Coblenz and Neuwied. Passes are issued to both places at all times, I having had one pass to the latter and two to the former.
At Neuwied I witnessed a very interesting game of foot ball between the 32d and 2d divisions. On my first trip to Coblenz I saw nothing much but the town, but on my last trip I spent three days and saw some very interesting scenes, among them being the ex-kaiser's palace, "Stolzenfels," also "Ehrenbreitstein," one of the strongest forts in Germany.
While at Coblenz I also met my brother-in-law, Otis L. Wilson, whom I had not seen since leaving Camp Pike. He was the first home boy I had seen since the 10th of last September, and of course I was glad to see someone whom I had formerly known.
I have had several letters from some of the boys over here and learn that some of them are getting back home. Am expecting to be there soon myself.
I have been in Europe eight months yesterday. During that time I have been over France, Belgium, Luxemburg and into Germany. Have had many interesting experiences and learned many lessons that will be worth much to me, but I wouldn't give one penny for another such trip. Think I will go over above countries again, as we go back to Brest for embarkation.
We are no longer in the army of occupation. It is now S.O.S. We have one hour's drill of mornings and the afternoons are spent in playing ball. Our company has a seven-game schedule which starts the 13th.
I have been in this town since December 28th and haven't missed but two days writing one or more letters. Now that I get no more mail and write no more letters I will be a little lonesome. The time is soon coming when we will be coming home and all are anxious, but when we separate from those whose friendship we have formed it is going to be hard, for friendships formed under such conditions are going to be lasting.
Trusting you will give space for these few lines and that my friends may know why I am not answering their letters personally, I am forever, a friend to Van Buren county.
WILLIAM P. SHETLEY,
M.G. Co., 126th Inf., A.P.O. 734 F.
NOTES: William Porter Shetley was born on May 29, 1891 and died on April 4, 1971. He is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Pryor, Oklahoma. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Pvt. serving in 125th Infantry in World War I. He departed Hoboken, NJ on August 3, 1918 onboard the Leviathan. He was a Pvt. serving in Camp Pike July Automatic Replacement Draft Co. #1 Infantry. He departed Brest, France on April 4, 1919 onboard the Luckenbach. He was serving as a Pvt. in MG Co. 126th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD