THESE ARE QUOTATIONS FROM ACTUAL LETTERS SOMETHING YOU DREAM ABOUT Sure wish you could get a load of my doing at present. Am spending a week or so ata Red Cross rest camp where everything is run along the lines of something you dream about. Horseback riding, basking on a _ beautiful Mediterranean beach not 50 feet from where we stay, tennis, bike riding with loads of cycles available, and finally, not far from the lovely city of Algiers itself. . . . Food here is superb with regular plates, knives, forks, cups, and excellent service. Oh, yes—linen, too... From the looks of things they’re about to eat lunch, so I'd better run. Sergeant, Bomber Group, North Africa (To his father) HOW STRANGE IT SEEMED How do you like the stationery? Well the good old Red Cross does a lot for us fellows out here, so pass the word along. They gave our unit a fine transoceanic radio and how strange it seemed to sit back in the jungles and hear about the World Series ball games. Wealso get the news from California and London every evening. Naval Hospital Corpsman, South Pacific (To his parents in Kansas) “MUST BE A SAD APPLE” A short time ago I received a letter—from 2 girl, of course, (back home) asking me to send her a bottle of white ginger-blossom per- fume. Okay, here is where you come in—I realize that there is little you can do in the way of making personal inquiries at your present location but would it be possible to contact other directors who are stationed in or near some of the larger cities in Australia? I can’t ask you to do this in your spare time—from what I have seen, Red Cross directors just don’t have such stuff, but if you can work on it “‘when you get around to it,” Pll appreciate it. P. S. Maybe all this is a big mistake. Any guy who will even attempt to buy perfume for a gal when he won’t be there to appreciate it must be a sad apple! Private, Coast Artillery, South Pacific (To a Red Cross hospital field director) I WISH YOU COULD UNDERSTAND I could give you many specific cases right in my company of really great help that the Red Cross has given to my men. I can safely say that about 40-50 percent of my men have had the Red Cross do some personal work for them—such as family investigations, etc. It might be difficult for some people to realize how much such a thing as finding out “Show Dad came out of his operation” or “‘why my wife Mary doesn’t write” means to these men. But let me tell you—it means everything. My boys can’t do their best if they are worried about family affairs at home. Captain, U. S. Army, Australia (To District of Columbia Red Cross Chapter) LIKE SANTA The Red Cross was just like Santa Claus to us. When we left Guadalcanal we didn’t have enough clothes to get off the island with. Red Cross gave us clothes, and duffle bags with shaving outfits, toothbrushes and toothpaste, writing materials, cigarettes, and other things we needed so badly. They sent cablegrams to our folks and looked after our welfare in general. Private, Marine Corps, South Pacific (To the people at home) if A MAN’S WIFE WAS EXPECTING At —, Rhode Island, the Red Cross gave us better service than seemed possible. If a man’s family was in need they took care of them. If a man’s wife was expecting they took care of her and made all the necessary arrangements. If someone at home was sick they contacted the doctor, found out the exact nature of the illness, the seriousness of it and advised if it was necessary for the man to go home. If he needed money they loaned it to him without interest and with very few ques- tions. They have very nice recreation facilities for the enlisted personnel. I, for one, am a staunch backer of the Red Cross. ‘*Seabee,” U. S. Navy, European Theater (To a friend in Arkansas) BUT WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS f asked Mrs. —, the Gray Lady in this ward, who I should write and thank for all the Red Cross has done for me and my fellow soldiers here, in the hospitals in foreign countries, and atthefront. I’ve been a guest of the American Red Cross in London, Glasgow, and Oran, and other cities in North Africa, where I was treated royally. We always got the kindest consideration from any member of the Red Cross we came in contact with. I cannot write much ofa letter but what I want to say is I'll never forget what the Red Cross has done for me. Private, U. S. Army, Walter Reed General Hospital (To the Red Cross) WHEN MY FATHER DIED As company clerk all cases of emergencies are handled through me, and I have never seen the American Red Cross refuse to help a single soldier in time of need. When el father died and I had to make the long tre home to New York, the Red Cross made it possible. Later after an operation they helped me get home so my period of convalescence might be pleasant. Pfc, Chemical Warfare Service, U. S. Army, Training Camp in Alabama (To the American Red Cross) A CHECK FOR $100 On May 3,1 was given a disability discharge from the United States Army after spending two months in the hospital at Camp —, Texas. While there I had an opportunity to observe and to benefit from the great service which the Red Cross is performing to give pleasure and comfort to so many. Iam therefore enclosing a check for $100.00 (my army salary for those two months). I know that in the hands of the Red Cross the money will more than repay my former com- rades for my own period of uselessness. Ex-Serviceman, U. S. Army (To the Red Cross) I'M REALLY SOLD You find the American Red Cross clubs right up on the front lines. They put up their clubs with anything they can get hold of which is usually a grass shack. ‘They have to promote everything they get but they manage to put on movies, shows and provide entertainment. When I spoke of donating to the Red Cross I wasn’t kidding. I really want you to give a donation from my money now and then. I’m really sold on the organization. It is doing a tremendous job in a fine manner. I just learned that they are now putting representa- tives (men) with the leading units in battle so they can prepare the way for clubs and so on. It will be the first time in the history of the Army that any organization has attempted to accompany the front line units with workers who keep pushing up clubs and other enter- tainment for the men. You see why I’m all for the organization. ; Lieutenant, U. S. Army, Island in South Pacific (To his parents in Denver) MIRACLE OF MIRACLES In the final days of our stay when we thought we could no longer tolerate the foreign food, miracle of miracles, the camp commander announced that that afternoon one of the Red Cross mobile canteens would arrive. Well— I have never seen anything more agreeable! There were two pretty girls from the South of the U. S. and in less than 15 minutes they gave us all they had—coffee, doughnuts, candy, cigarettes, chewing gum, etc. They had a phonograph too. This was the only occasion when we have been so near to the U. S. since we came. Private, European Theater (To his family) RISKED THEIR LIVES OVER AND OVER Red Cross got up to the front fighting lines to give us men candy, cigarettes, and other comfort articles. I saw Red Cross workers who risked their lives over and over again to help make the Marines comfortable. Pfc, U. S. Marines, Southwest Pacific (To a friend at home) BEST FRIEND HERE Been a Kriegsgefangenenlager (Prisoner of War) since November 8. Shot down over France. Snow on ground and below zero. Reading lots. Could use candy parcels. Red Cross best friend here. Bomber Pilot, U. S. 8th Army Air Force (An excollege star to his former football coach) Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee rere rere ereeeeeeeeereeereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeene GOD BLESS YOU FOR IT i On Christmas day I was given a gift package donated by your chapter for which I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks. It was truly appreciated. The package contained a little note, which, while containing few words, meant more to me in this faraway spot than any volume of classics could ever mean. I shall remember wherever I go those kind words: “We are wishing you luck and standing back of you.” God bless you for it. I am sending the note home to my sister to put among my souvenirs. I shall also remember that the Red Cross is one more reason for me to fight like Hell (your pardon). Thanks again, friends, may the Red Cross banner forever wave. So long and good luck, A Lonely Marine (To a Missouri Red Cross chapter) _ WE DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO ASK I was wounded in a naval encounter with the Japanese. From the time I reached a hospital ‘I owed much of my comforts to the Red Cross workers. ‘They were there and on the job. At the advance station hospital we were pro- vided with toilet articles, cigarettes, and cloth- ing. Allthese things were given to us by your men. We didn’t have time to ask for anything. It was there before we could ask. Ensign, U. S. Navy - (To a California chapter of the Red Cross) THIS HAS HAPPENED TO DOZENS AND DOZENS OF OUR BOYS When a man walks into our department with a telegram in his hand and tears in his eyes and says that his mother or wife or baby is seriously ill and that he would like to go home then we only have to pick up the telephone and call the Red Cross. The Red Cross im- mediately verifies the information by wire or telephone at their own expense regardless of whether that soldier lives 5 or 5,000 miles away. If the soldier lacks funds to get home then the Red Cross supplies those funds in the form ofaloan. This has happened to dozens and dozens of boys in our organization. Personnel Sergeant, U. S. Army, U. S. Training Camp (To a Red Cross chapter in Texas) ITIS MIGHTY SWELL KNOWING IT I am only one of many here. However, I can speak for all when I say that the Red Cross ‘is always ready and willing to help. The workers are always looking for new ways to make life bearable for all the men in the serv- ices. At the hospital, they are always helping with the little things as well as the big. Whether it is providing entertaining diversions during the daytime, or rendering material or financial assistance at any time, the Red Cross is always on the job, and it is mighty swell knowing it. Private, U. S. Army, Hospitalized at a Virginia Training Camp (To the editor of the New York Times)