George Rehn letter to Sister - December 6, 1918
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[American Y.M.C.A. letterhead] [Chatellon-Sur-Cher] France [December 6th, 1918] Dear Sis! Was greatly surprised to receive your letter of [October] 24th at yesterday roll call. I dont mean to insinuate that a letter from you would be unusual, but the fact that it was [Parris Island] mail is what surprised me as I had thought such mail was not to be had. The letter was that which you had written on shorthand paper and the contents or I should say the news it contained was indeed good dope to me. I note you are still buying shoes on discount day, and should you continue, the family ought soon to be well shod.
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I am in the best of health and spirits, due mostly to the regularity of sleep and food. We are still being drilled in war time style, which I suppose is done in order to be ready for any disturbance which may occur while we are here. A few of my friends were sent away to a big town north of here to do clerical work and we gave them quite a send off in the form of a rabbit, wine and goat cheese supper at our expense. I was somewhat down hearted in not getting to go with them but on second thought am glad that such was the case as it might have been sometime before I would have seen the old
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concrete grape arbor again. Had the time of our lives yesterday it being the day for our weekly bath. We have an elaborate bath room, Ha! it is in an old concrete house, which seems to have been some French Monsieur
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Some one is playing Home sweet Home on the piano just now and it sounds miserable to us. Funny gang we are crazy to get to France and now just as crazy to get back to Gods country. But the longer we stay away the more we think of what we have left behind. You mention having lots of rain. Say! You folks dont know what rain is, it hasnt stopped raining here since the day we landed with the exception of a few hours today when the sun tried to shine. Too bad about Ed Auer being where he is, which makes it hard on his wife. His ailment is probably due to too much pinochole, some thing very seldom heard of over here
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[page 2][American Red Cross letterhead] If you cannot get any one to do your ceiling, leave it for me as I expect to stick around the house sometime before going back to work when I return. Yes sir Im going to stick around Mothers apron strings and eat my fool head off for at least a month: So prepare! I made out another money order to Mother amounting to fifteen dollar which I know will be put to good use. That is the second which I sent both which should reach home sometime in January. Though a little late I would like very much to have you
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split it for Christmas presents. Christmas will soon be with us and I hope that we are still at an established post which would give us a chance to get in on another good feed such as we had on Thanksgiving Day, Thanks to our good Lieut. You mention of me being lucky in forming the acquaintenship of that St. Louis cook. Well it was short, as the poor fellow died of the flu on board the Henderson while coming across - He sure was a happy go lucky person and am told he died a smiling. Up to the time of his sickness he promised me a many a good feed when in France, but now it
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is done for. Friend Quail received a letter from his former employers in St. Louis and of course it done him good. Well old gal, know nothing more to write of so after completing this, I think I will run past the wine shops to my cozy bed in the moss covered billet. The song being played now is the Missouri Waltz. They insist on reminding one of home continuously. Take care of your self and dont work too hard. Give my regards to all my friends, whom I should write but cannot due to lack of time.
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I will write Elsie, next Sunday and Marie Some night next week. Hoping all are well and happy I close Lovingly George Love to Maw Paw Elsie and the [ms illegible: 1 wd] My Address Pvt Geo. H. Rehn Co. B. 1st Training Batl 1st Training Regt U.S.M.C. A.E.F. A.P.O. 727
Details
| Title | George Rehn letter to Sister - December 6, 1918 |
| Creator | Rehn, George |
| Source | Rehn, George. Letter to Sister. 6 December 1918. George H. Rehn Collection. 1982.279. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | George Rehn sent this letter to his sister while over in France on December 6, 1918. Rehn discussed the upcoming holidays and some of his daily activities which included drilling and Y.M.C.A. entertainment. 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.; Christmas; World War, 1914-1918--War work--Y.M.C.A.; Influenza |
| 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 | December 6, 1918 |
| Language | English |