TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MENA WEEKLY STAR DECEMBER 13, 1917 P. 4
From Victor H. Wear.
112d F. A. Headquarters Co.
Alexandria, La.
Dear Homefolks
I am well and getting fatter every day, and am having a fairly good time. They are assigning us to duties for which we are quickest to learn.
The Headquarters company consists of five divisions, namely; Aviation Corps, Signal Corps, Hospital Corps, Mounted Scouts and Messengers, and we are to be assigned to the one for which we are best fitted. I don’t know what I’ll get, but am determined to make good at whatever they give me.
There are a lot of hardships in the army. But it is well worth anybody’s time to spend two or three years in the service. It will make a man out of anybody, both physically and mentally, if he will halfway try to do what’s right. The best lesson I’ve learned is to be obedient to those over me, altho I have not had a cross word spoken to me by any officer since I’ve been in the army. It’s all a mistake about soldiers being treated like dogs, tho there are some that are treated like dogs because they deserve it. Any one that tries to do the right thing has the sympathy of all the officers, and they will do every thing in their power to help the men.
Of course I realize that I should be in school now, but I consider the training I receive here equal to any schooling I could get, and I’m still young enough to go to school when I get out. I’m going to save every penny I can and when I get out of the army I’m going to take a business course or something that will enable me to get a decent job and make a decent living. I have a good opportunity to study here if I had anything to study. I read every thing I can get hold of now.
From the way this morning’s paper reads I’m afraid I’m not going to get to go to France, altho I really do want to go.
(Victor then tries his hand at verse, which may be pretty lame in meter but it is sound in sentiment.)
You slacker who is left at home,
Enjoying yourself and having a time;
Going to dances and parties,
And seeing a show for a dime;
Flirting with soldier boys’ girl’s
While they serve the blue--
But if given a chance tonight,
I wouldn’t swap places with you.
You only work eight hours a day,
While we work sixteen or more;
You sleep late in the morning,
While we rise at four;
You sleep on soft feather beds
Having good things to seat too--
But if given a chance tonight,
I wouldn’t change places with you.
You swing your swagger stick,
While we carry our gun;
You rest at ease in the shade,
While we train and sweat in the sun.
You have a good easy time;
We all know this to be true---
But if given a chance tonight,
I wouldn’t change places with you.
You get to rest every Sunday,
While we go on guard;
On holidays you are idle,
While we are working hard;
We have many inconveniences,
Rough things we have to do;
But if given a chance tonight,
I wouldn’t change places with you.
You have shirked your duty,
While we’re serving the best we can;
Even your truest friends
Know you are not a man;
You are seeping under a shelter,
While we sleep out in the dew---
But if given a chance tonight.
I wouldn’t change places with you.
We will be fighting our enemies,
While you shirk and lag;
But true Americans won’t forget,
The boys who have followed the flag;
You will be fishing and hunting,
While the German lines we hew---
But if given a chance tonight,
I wouldn’t change places with you.
NOTES: Victor Hugo Wear was born on November 12, 1898 at Mena, Arkansas and died on November 3, 1961 at Mena. He is buried in the Pinecrest Memorial Park Cemetery at Mena. His military gravestone application identifies him as a bugler in the Army, 142 FA, Hg Co., 39 Div.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.
From Victor H. Wear.
112d F. A. Headquarters Co.
Alexandria, La.
Dear Homefolks
I am well and getting fatter every day, and am having a fairly good time. They are assigning us to duties for which we are quickest to learn.
The Headquarters company consists of five divisions, namely; Aviation Corps, Signal Corps, Hospital Corps, Mounted Scouts and Messengers, and we are to be assigned to the one for which we are best fitted. I don’t know what I’ll get, but am determined to make good at whatever they give me.
There are a lot of hardships in the army. But it is well worth anybody’s time to spend two or three years in the service. It will make a man out of anybody, both physically and mentally, if he will halfway try to do what’s right. The best lesson I’ve learned is to be obedient to those over me, altho I have not had a cross word spoken to me by any officer since I’ve been in the army. It’s all a mistake about soldiers being treated like dogs, tho there are some that are treated like dogs because they deserve it. Any one that tries to do the right thing has the sympathy of all the officers, and they will do every thing in their power to help the men.
Of course I realize that I should be in school now, but I consider the training I receive here equal to any schooling I could get, and I’m still young enough to go to school when I get out. I’m going to save every penny I can and when I get out of the army I’m going to take a business course or something that will enable me to get a decent job and make a decent living. I have a good opportunity to study here if I had anything to study. I read every thing I can get hold of now.
From the way this morning’s paper reads I’m afraid I’m not going to get to go to France, altho I really do want to go.
(Victor then tries his hand at verse, which may be pretty lame in meter but it is sound in sentiment.)
You slacker who is left at home,
Enjoying yourself and having a time;
Going to dances and parties,
And seeing a show for a dime;
Flirting with soldier boys’ girl’s
While they serve the blue--
But if given a chance tonight,
I wouldn’t swap places with you.
You only work eight hours a day,
While we work sixteen or more;
You sleep late in the morning,
While we rise at four;
You sleep on soft feather beds
Having good things to seat too--
But if given a chance tonight,
I wouldn’t change places with you.
You swing your swagger stick,
While we carry our gun;
You rest at ease in the shade,
While we train and sweat in the sun.
You have a good easy time;
We all know this to be true---
But if given a chance tonight,
I wouldn’t change places with you.
You get to rest every Sunday,
While we go on guard;
On holidays you are idle,
While we are working hard;
We have many inconveniences,
Rough things we have to do;
But if given a chance tonight,
I wouldn’t change places with you.
You have shirked your duty,
While we’re serving the best we can;
Even your truest friends
Know you are not a man;
You are seeping under a shelter,
While we sleep out in the dew---
But if given a chance tonight.
I wouldn’t change places with you.
We will be fighting our enemies,
While you shirk and lag;
But true Americans won’t forget,
The boys who have followed the flag;
You will be fishing and hunting,
While the German lines we hew---
But if given a chance tonight,
I wouldn’t change places with you.
NOTES: Victor Hugo Wear was born on November 12, 1898 at Mena, Arkansas and died on November 3, 1961 at Mena. He is buried in the Pinecrest Memorial Park Cemetery at Mena. His military gravestone application identifies him as a bugler in the Army, 142 FA, Hg Co., 39 Div.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.