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Letterhead: American Flag (on left side)
National War Work Council YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS of the United States "With the Colors"
Red Circle with upside down red triangle (on right side)
(2)
in. By wildly jestulaling [sic] with my hands, Spanish, English and the few French words I knew I finally convinced him that the U.S.A. was a "bon" place to live in. You had better begin brushing up on your French as I will be able to throw this lingo like a native by the time I get back.
Spring is here and it rains almost continually. Mud is our closest freind, it being always with us. A funny thing happened some days ago. During a bombardment one of our men who was out working in the trenches, tried to make a hasty retreat as things got too hot. He was lost and when he got back to the dugout he had lost one boot, the other he had slung over his shoulder, one sock gone and he was completely covered with mud from head to foot.
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Letterhead: American Flag (on left side)
National War Work Council YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS of the United States "With the Colors"
Red Circle with upside down red triangle (on right side)
(3) It took him about a week to get rid of all the mud.
I just received a letter from Russell Bassett saying he saw you working at Rimicks Music Store. I'm sorry to hear you have to work again but hope it is only temporary and that you will soon be able to continue your lessons. Let me know how you like your work.
Various well intentioned married church women whom I know have been writing me advising me not to bring back a French "Madamoselle." My only answer to them is that of all the French women I have seen I have come to the conclusion that dear old L.A. holds the finest and prettiest girls in the world — and to you, the only girl for me. {this last line underlined}
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Letterhead: American Flag (on left side)
National War Work Council YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS of the United States "With the Colors"
Red Circle with upside down red triangle (on right side)
(4)
How is my sweetheart getting along? Russell writes you are getting prettier every day and I believe it. Don't neglect the one that loves you most any longer but write me a nice long letter.
Give my best regards to your mother and relatives and say hello for me to our mutual school friends also Mrs. Shepherd.
Hoping you are happy and feeling fine.
Your soldier boy lover.
Lewis J. Ashby American Expeditionary Forces Co. "F" 117th Reg. Engrs.
Via New York
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Pvt. L. J. Ashby Soldiers Letter Co. "F", 117 Reg. Engrs
Miss Mildred Neher 316 Ave. 64 Garvanza [struck through]
Long Beach - Los Angeles, Cal. 402 East First St. - U.S.A.
O.K HK Phelps 2nd Lt ERC
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June, 2, 1918 "Somewhere in France"
Dearest Mildred,
Friday was "Decoration Day" and a holiday for us. In the morning we had a parade to a cemetry where American soliders of this division are being buried. The graves were decorated with flowers and a picture depicting a rainbow and an American flag flying over a French village. It was beautifully colored and encased in a metal frame. At the botton of the picture was written the name, rank, and date of death. In the afternoon we had athletic contests and a ball game Harold won second prize in a