Letter, May 23, 1919

[Letter on color stationery of the Army and Navy Y.M.C.A.]

Camp Merritt

May 23 - 1919

Dear father & Mother

Probly by this time you have a few cards mailed on the Leviathan, and one since. Just mailed a big magazine book on New York and a Post clipping.

Being in America is just like being in a dream - only I don't wake up and find it to be Ettelbruck or Brest. Our reception could not have been more and the Liberty statue as we came in past her was a few minutes never to be forgotten. The Great Imperator - just released from the germans & her first trip over - a sister ship of the Levi. left just 8 hours before we did, we passed her Monday nite. She docked just after we did. Those two ships - the largest in the world were wonderful sights. When on the pier we looked over the boat from one end to the other and her size is almost unbelievable for a ship. Those great piers looked small indeed - in comparison. The most delightful part of our trip across is the fact that it was a quick one, in fact the quickest it is possible to cross the Ocean from Brest to N.Y.

If I ever take a pleasure trip, I assure you the time spent on an ocean - if such should be the case - will not be counted in on the pleasure part.

Mother after sending the helmet, I sent another box Mar 22, another April 17 and a small can Apr 17. If you write, let me know if you rec. any of the ones mentioned or which ones if you did and in what condition.

I did not know there was so much pleasure in talking to a woman, after over a years silence or very nearly so. It seems a wonderful pleasure and privelege. I always did like it more or less and have missed it terribly since going across.

On May 23, 1918 I landed in Brest, on May 22, 1919 I landed in New York. Came very near being just a year to the day.

Y.M.C.A., Jewish Welfare, salvation Army and Red Cross & K of C - are sure making up now for what we missed during the months of fighting, when the stuff was so precious. Also the K.C. are wonderful advertisers. They are working the greatest system of propaganda in the army you ever saw - the germans are simply not in it, in comparison.

Well I did not send a telegram as I had an idea you would know when we landed in N.Y. as soon as ourselves. and mail don't travel so slow on this side, so I decided my cards would let you know the truth soon enough.

I wish you would write very often while I am still in the Army, for time is tedious. You don't have to write much.

Address me- Hdq. co. 129 Inf. 33 Div. Camp Merritt. If we move soon to Camp Grant the Army officials will know it and either hold mail there or forward from here. With love to all - I am your loving son -

Paul B.