Will, Grace, and World War One

Will saved the July 26, 1918, edition of The Stars and Stripes to share with Grace.

Excerpts from July 20, 1918: My Dear Grace - La Havre I wrote you a few lines last night, but I was rather tired and it was late, I had just got thro work. But to=night I was thro at 7:30 and instead of going for a walk or anywhere, I tho't I would write you a letter The first thing I want to tell you Grace, is how much I think of Pat. We have now been to-geather over three Months, and there has not been a cross word between us that I know of and that is saying a lot, when two fellows are to-geather as much as we are, He has been just fine seems to be looking out for me all the time and when I was in Paris, Grace I don't know what I would of done if it hadn't been for Pat. He certainly is a great fellow, I never knew him untill, I came on this trip, Now just for instance he is always doing something like this, yesterday it looked like rain, I was down on the docks checking out a cargo of stuff and he sends over his rain coat, by a kid about a mile, and says he

July 14, 1918: My Dear Grace - Don't feel much like writing to night as Pat. has written to Ruth and must of told her all about to-day, She will tell you or you will read the letter and he can tell you so much better than I can. But it has been a very eventful day for me. Thousands of people are so glad the Americans are here they wear our colors with theirs all to-gether, when you see one you will see the other, and flags, well we don't know what flags are in our town. The presentation of Medles of honor to wounded solders +etc was very impressive tears came to my eyes, quite often, and then we saw widows all dressed in black. who had lost their husbands in this awful war, given a few words of comfort, Thats about all they can possible get in return for loseing their loved ones that was very sad, as it touched them very deeply and there were many men that would silently wipe away a tear, But it was all so big, and grand, can't tell you much, you know,

Excerpts from July 12 and 14, 1918: Mr Dear Grace - Haven't heard from you for over a week, but am expecting a bunch of mail any day now. I did not get a chance to go to Paris, a Miss Rand. went instead she is a Y.MC.A lady who has been here for quite a long time and her home is in Paris, she has been driving for the 'Y' I am taking her place when I am not busy with my other work. We expect her back in a few days Nothing new has happened, a fellow on a Motorcycle hit my car last night, and cut his ear quite bade, I have first aid and took him to hospital, Went and looked up the records this A.M and the French police do not blame me at all, I didn't see how they could as I was on the right side of the street and he was on the wrong side, and going like the dickens, My car was running very slow and I rather think was stopped at the time he hit me, and I had a load of Y.MC.A fellows coming back from an entreatment the Princeton Quartet and Dr. who is with them,

Will saved the July 12 issue of Stars and Stripes , the U.S. military newspaper, and sent it home to Grace with his letter of July 14. It features these advertisements and images, among others.

Excerpts from July 10, 1918: My Dear Grace - Pat and Mr. Lucas have gone to --- for the day, so I am running the job, not much to-do to-day and nothing new has happened, so there isn't much to write about... A man came down from paris and took my car and all the other extras we have so, I haven't got a card to drive, but I just as soon walk any way, so I am not very sore on that point I have never got the sweater that Maureen made perhaps never will, But I have enough to keep warm, if some guys don't steal it. I just went out and saw a fellow in an Air plain looping the loop + etc, he was good. but you see so many that you never look at them unless they are pulling off some stunt... we see people here from every nation on Earth and quite often dressed as they do at home... I have been on this job just one month to-day, while there are lots of things I don't like, that is part of my job overhear to like them, so I guess I am getting along

Excerpt from July 4, 1918, leaflet: At the great and historical moment when the American troops are landing on French soil, the Women of France extend to them a heartfelt welcome full of gratitude and admiration. Lique Patriotique des Française, du Havre Lique des Femmes Françaises, du Havre

Excerpts from July 3, 1918: My Dear Grace - We we are trimming up for the 4th, The old warehouse looks like a Circus tent, I just bought a flag for my room cost me 12 Fcs or about $2.40 and if I had bought it in T.C. I think it would cost about ¢60 or ¢70. 
The French people are trimming up the town in great style, they are all going to close up tomorrow and celebrate the 4th with us then the 14th we are going to celebrate their big day with them, I don't know what its for, "but I am willing to celebrate" 
In my last letter I told about losing my rain coat and this time I must tell you about losing my pen, don't know what it will be next time, I am using Pats pen to write this with. 
Well they just came and got my flag from the office and it is up on the highest "stack" smoke stack in the town, in fact the highest place in the town  they paid me for it, but I am going to give them their money back and bring the flag home as a relick to keep,