George Rehn letter to Dad - March 27, 1919
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[American Y.M.C.A. letterhead] St. Nazaire [March 27, 1919] Dear Dad! You have of course been told or have read my letter to mother telling of my meeting Ralph R. I was in bed at the time and you can imagine what little time I lost in getting out. I received both your letters of the 4th and 10th and am glad to note that your eye trouble has left you and that you are soon to be given a change in positions Ha! So the rats continue to bother your chickens. I wish I could send you some of the captured gas the Germans intended using on the Yanks in the Argonne. I know it would put an end to all your troubles of that nature I note George is not working full time. Perhaps you may be able to do something toward getting him back to the Century.
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[page 2] [American Y.M.C.A. letterhead] You surely owe him that much for the time he spends in helping you keep order about the house. I am sorry I can not help any toward painting the house but then George is there, and painting seems to be his pet profession, so you wont miss me much. So you seem to think that prohibition will be a failure or that it will never go into effect. Well lets hope not. There may be good points in its favor but then there are more against it. And it seems to me that the men across the sea should have something to say about prohibition. I dont quite understand your writing that the saloons on the road sell none but soft drinks now. Have they gone that far already? As to my coming home soon. Do you really think their is a possibility of your getting me over in a hurry?
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[page 3] [American Y.M.C.A. letterhead] I dont! You say there is a new law which entitles men enlisting after April 1st 1918 to make application for immediate discharge or that the parents may make the application Have you read the law? It seems to me that there must be a lot to it. There are many here who have tried for their discharge in a number of ways but failed. Dont forget I enlisted for the duration of the war and peace has not been signed as yet. Why we have a lad here who left a wife back home when he joined and who since has been burdened by having to take the three children of a sister of hers who died she (her sister) having been a widow. He has made application for a release some two months back and has heard nothing since regarding same. Then their are many other cases too
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[page 4] numerous to mention. We have men here who enlisted four years ago whose terms have since expired and are still waiting to be sent over. Should you put in application for my release I dont doubt but what the first question that will have to be answered is that regarding dependency, which will be a hard one for you. But you may try if you care but I can do nothing over here, sickness being my only chance at present and I sincerely hope such will not be the case. Of course I am just as anxcious to get back home as those who have been here a year or more, but on the other hand I am getting my three square meals a day and thirty eight dollars a month also a good bunk to sleep in. I expect to go to Paris sometime next month.
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[page5] or probably to St. Malo a resort on the northern coast of France. Paris will be a three day leave, all expenses to be borne by the one traveling, and that to St. Malo a seven day leave with all expenses paid by the Government. But thats getting away from the discharge. Suppose you should put in an application it may mean two months before action is taken, and in two months we expect to look toward some move on the part of Sec. Daniels to get us home. He is at St. Nazaire now and we expect to turn out for him in the next day or two. I beleive I would drop the discharge proposition and depend on my coming home in three months sure. We know all about the discharge bonus, also understand everyone will be allowed a mile age of 5c from camp to home, that also helps a little. Am sorry to note Crain is having a run of tough luck,
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[page 6] express my deep sympathy to him, next time you see him. I have never received any of the newspapers you sent, but received one from Daues a week ago. It was the P. Ds auto number. As to the weather here it is the same rain, rain, and rain: but we expect a change soon with summer coming on. We expect to have a good time on the beach Ooh La La! Well heres hoping you have a good time with your automobile and that all at home are well and happy Your Affectionate Son George: Same Addres Hello to the Theurers. Am using a new fountain pen dont like it much.
Details
| Title | George Rehn letter to Dad - March 27, 1919 |
| Creator | Rehn, George |
| Source | Rehn, George. Letter to Dad. 27 March 1919. George H. Rehn Collection. 1982.279. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | George Rehn sent this letter to his father on March 27, 1919. George discussed the possibility of returning home and other news. George Rehn was part of the 63rd Guard Unit, 13th Marine Regiment. Rehn served in France from November 1918 to July 1919 as part of Company B, 9th SEP Battalion. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; United States. Marine Corps--1910-1920; Milirary discharge |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; United States. Marine Corps. Regiment, 13th |
| Site Accession Number | 1982.279 |
| Contributing Institution | National World War I Museum and Memorial |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the National World War I Museum and Memorial: (816) 888-8100. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | March 27, 1919 |
| Language | English |