Letter 102
Dec.
25, 1918
Aix
Les Bains, France
T o My
Darling Girl,
Yes it is Christmas night, and still
that great body of water separates us.
But not in love and thoughts, for my thoughts have been with you nearly
all day. The sun has shown brightly all
day, after being hid behind clouds for 3 days.
If you only knew how surprised I was this morning when I opened the
shutters of my window and saw that beautiful sun shining so brightly. I felt like flying home to you dear, and leaving
all my war duties behind. Oh, if I could
have had you in my arms then nothing could separate us. For I just felt like nothing would satisfy
me. But Geo. came to my rescue and said,
“What time is it?” It was only a quarter
to eleven; not very late, but later than I usually sleep on Christmas evening.
I forgot to hang up my stocking, but my present was the thought of peace
all over the world. At that moment, Christian nations were celebrating one of
the greatest Christmases the world has ever known. Besides that, I receive the untold love you
send me each day, which has been the means of me fighting my battles so
well. Without you dear, life would mean
nothing to me. For you are the only means
I have of keeping up my manhood and living a pure clean life. Now don’t you ever think Santa forgot me this
year, for he sent to me the greatest present my heart has wished for. I wished to thank God for his mercy upon us, the
American Soldiers of Liberty unto the world, and also you dear, for your freely
sent love to the one who holds you most high in his mind and heart.
Can you imagine such a scene such as
this? There are mountains on all sides
covered with snow, and a low cloud winding its way along the crest with pine
trees all over. They edge their way like
black frosts out of the snow. The snow sinks
far down the mountainside. The valley
below covered with the savory colors of winter and sends its heartbeat to God. I am grateful we have been permitted to
celebrate Christmas once more in peace.
Along the streets boys and girls clatter with their wooden shoes showing
their Christmas cheer; everybody had the true spirit of Christmas, even the
most lonely. This is how I found the
little village of “Aix Les Bains.” There is no snow yet in the valley, for
everything there looks like spring.
Well dear, last night was a
wonderful night, for all the soldiers located and gathered here. Even if we are just men, we had our own
Christmas tree and Santa. This all took
place at the casino where the Y is located.
We had it decorated very beautifully, for in the center of the building
stood a tree about 30 feet high brightened with green and red lights. The rest
of the building was decorated with Christmas colors and lights. Never in my
life did I ever witness such a gathering of people so interested in everything that
they first wanted to shout. The program consisted of Christmas songs and
carols.
Just at the close of the singing, when all were
so interested, four Santas came in on a French cart well decorated and ‘drawn’
by six soldiers who were dressed in white trousers, blue sailor blouse with
white collars, red turbans on their heads, and a red belt. They came in and circled the tree and then trotted
down through the casino which is a large place.
They had hard work to get there, but
everything went well. The cart was drawn near to the tree, where the Santas (who
were young ladies) were helped out. Then began the real fun, for the Santas had
to pass out the Christmas boxes which had been prepared. In our Christmas box
there were two bars of chocolate, a can of velvet tobacco, one pack of Camels,
and two cigars.
The best part of it all was that I was
one of the horses who pulled Santa’s sleigh and had the honor of
serving one of the first American Christmases in Aix Les Bains. My reward for my part in the program was 4
packages of cigarettes.
Besides giving presents to the
soldiers and the Y helpers, they had
presents for the mayor and his daughter, the manager of the casino, and a
number of other French people. They said
they had never witnessed such a celebration and never had they seen the casino
decorated as beautifully as it was.
We also had a flashlight picture
taken of the tree and our Santa Claus wagon.
They turned out well. You shall
have one of them. I left my address with
the head Y man. But best part of all,
after being painted and powdered by the girls, we were told after the program
that we really did look like French girls.
For most all French girls paint and make themselves up to be what they
aren’t. Music was played for those who
wish to dance, but there are only a few dancers
and far between. Well anyway,
after the program, we played games until midnight.
Today we have done a little more
sight-seeing. We went about 3 kilometers
to the Grand Gorges, which were a wonder.
Yet we have more wonderful sights at home in Utah in our canyons. We bought some postcard of different scenery. I will mail them separately so you will get
some, and then mother will get some, too.
I suppose you would like to know
what we had for dinner. Well we had
plenty. I am sending you the menu so you
can see for yourself. You may not be
able to determine what they all are, but you will know later. I did not eat much because my stomach has
been out of whack since coming here, for I’ve eaten too many sweets. I think it is a good thing we cannot get
candy whenever we want it, or we would be sick all the time. No, don’t worry, for it is nothing serious.
Well dearheart, I hope you enjoyed
your Christmas as well as I did. But I
hope the next one will be spent with you. May God ever protect you on this
great Christmas day is the loving wish of your sweetheart.
Henry
X X X X X (2 extra for Christmas)
Corp.
Henry D. Call
Co.
A. 313th Engrs.
American
Ex. Forces A.P.O. 932
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