 Letter, March 5, 1919 [Letter on color stationery
of the American Y.M.C.A. Received March 24, 1919.]
Mar 5 1919
Dear Mother -
I am sending just a word before I leave for southern France
for a couple of weeks. I am glad for this privelege. It will help
much to pass the long days between now and starting home time.
I rec. a couple letters from Maude today. Was expecting one
from you - so now I guess I will not hear from you until I get
back from my leave.
The whole band is going. Everyone in high spirits - so glad
- after all these months for a bit of liberty.
I still have a couple letters of yours mother that I am
going to ans. when I find a few quiet moments.
It looks like I just got well in time. I did not know when
at Echternach that we were going to be fortunate enough for any
thing like this. Yesterday our Infirmary released me. so now I am
set all Ok for the trip with the rest of the boys. Elmer and I
are planning quite a sight seeing campaign and have agreed to see
every thing & go every place that fortune favors us with the
opportunity.
Mother - today I sent home a boche steel helmet. Inside are
some pamphlets on Vianden & a book Ive been reading and a leather
pouch. If you rec. this letter before the helmet, I'll ask you
not to unwrap it until I get home. Of course if you rec. git
first & unwrap it - don't do it up again - just keep all the
articles together. This is a request and I hope you will do it -
for I don't think it will be so long now until I can be there to
do it.
As this is just a little personal letter regarding the
helmet I will say a few things as regards women. I hear from
quite a few girls - all write in a very friendly way but nothing
more than that. What else you may hear of put out of your mind
for you have the right idea concerning me. I will tell you later
why I feel this way. Probly do this while on leave.
I am glad you rec. my first box. The leather is an
Englishmans belt - the brass buckle of a peculiar type goes on
it. The little Napoleon I am glad got there ok, as it must have
or you would have mentioned it.
So you did not know who the little man was. Well I see so
much about him over here - I suppose every one would recognize
the little statue at once.
Weather is beautiful. Sun hot and everything like spring -
flowers beginning to bloom - Does one good to feel the warmth of
the sun again. To many people here dying from influenza and other
respiratory troubles. So many in mourning.
The people tell us that this is the most beautiful season of
the year where we are going. I hope so.
As I am very busy getting ready I will close now and write
more when I get there and can tell you from my own experience how
southern France looks.
With love to you all and hope you are well. I am as ever
your loving son.
Paul B Hendrickson
Hdq co 129 Inf A.E.F.
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