In the Words of the Soldiers

As soon as the United States entered the war in 1917, people on the home front began to mobilize.  With the end goal of providing as much help to the military as possible, hospitals, churches, schools, and other groups quickly established different ways to do their part for the war.  From making bandages to sending care packages, from opening hospital wings to donating money, the men and women of the Archdiocese of New York, both religious and lay, tried to find creative ways to support their boys.  One of the most critical forms of support was maintaining a bond to the people entering military service.  As men from the parishes of the Archdiocese entered military service and eventually were sent overseas, the connections to home became more important, particularly to remind the men what they were fighting for.  And, as seen in the quotes  below, taken from letters sent home, the men deeply appreciated reminders of home, and the thoughts and prayers of those they left behind.

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“I like the army very much, Father, as it makes a man of you.  I also would ask you, Father, to pray for me as it looks very serious down here.”  - Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, Sept. 27, 1917

“Your comfort kit and sweater received and my heart simply is overflowed with the great thanks and admiration of your good parental will, and generosity.  So valuable a gift is not only received with thanks but also with love to the ones who try hard to meet the necessities of our nation and people.  I thank you and each individual of the good ladies of the Lord and all the kind people of our parish for the magnificent gift sent to me.” – US Marine Corps soldier, Philadelphia, October 8, 1917

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“Our regiment is probably the first volunteer unit to represent the United States on the firing line, and about sixty-five percent of them are Catholics.  It seems ever so long since we left New York, and I am beginning to forget what it looked like.  Mere words cannot describe the devastation wrought by the Germans in France.  Heretofore, when a person wanted to convey the idea of destruction complete and absolute, it would refer to Pompeii or Carthage.  Some of the towns and villages right around where I am, would make those ancient ruins look new in comparison…On Columbus Day, the K. of C. men attended High Mass in the Chapel of one of the famous old French cathedrals.  The Church was beautifully decorated and, were it not for the fact that I am such a blind partisan, I would concede that it looked even prettier than our own, which is easily the most picturesque Church on Washington Heights.”  – “In the Field,” France, October 14, 1917

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“The shell fire, of course, is terrible, far greater than one ever imagines, but the gas attacks are dreaded more than anything.  Thank God, so far I have not been in any, but I have seen the result, having reached the first line the day after an attack.  Words can’t describe the suffering which the victim goes through….so far I have been fortunate in being able to receive communion quite often, and while Mass on Sunday is often out of the question, still during the week it is often possible to go.  Never did I realize what a comfort my religion is till now….Kindly remember me in your prayers for I fully realize that prayer alone will bring me home safely.” –“Somewhere in France,” November 2, 1917

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“With fighting blood I am writing to you to let you know that we are sinking submarines faster than they are building them….We are the boys that are taking the troops of victory across, we see that no sub gets them and it is no joke.  So I wish I was educated Mother and I’d make some speech.  Believe me the American flag never was defeated and we will never give up even though we get the last shell.  Americans never give up.  It was Washington put the U.S. on the map, and Lincoln kept it there, and President Wilson is going to see to it that it stays there.” – Angelo de Luca, U.S.S. Rambler, May 10, 1918

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“Well I have been under fire and came out O.K.  Oh it feels great….The chocolate fudge you made was delicious.  The crucifix I hung right around my neck ten minutes after I first placed my eyes upon its beautiful figure of our dear Saviour.”  -- Michael Policastro, Co. K, 22^nd Infantry, April 18, 1918

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“We have a very nice Y.M.C.A. here with the regular New York movies every other night.  One night soon after supper while sitting around camp fire one of the boys suggested that we have a dance and we did.  It was wonderful and was attended by a large crowd of the boys and the music was furnished by the Huns’ famous orchestra.  How does it feel to be under fire?  Well, once you get used to it you do not mind it at all.” – Patrick J. Coffey, Co. G., 165^th U.S. Infantry, May 23, 1918

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“I do not mean idle for there is something to do all day long.  Of course I am kicking about working hard because the harder everybody works the quicker this war will end and the quicker we will get back home to our loved ones who are waiting for us.  It all depends upon ourselves so we all have to snap in it.  From one of your boys.”  -- Sal Valenti, Troop M, 2^nd Calvarly, May 3, 1918

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“As for me, well I’m succeeding as a marine, and also a good Hun catcher, which I hope will do some damage when I get to France.  I see the marines are doing great work ‘Over There,’ but they haven’t begun to fight yet.  They are waiting for more marines to get there and I’m praying to God every night that I will be one to go ‘over the top’ and in to Berlin.”  -- Phil A. Spaldo, 188^th Company, Marine Barracks, Paris Island, SC, June 17, 1918

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“Being remembered by our friends and our people at home certainly does tend to drive away the feeling of homesickness that is apt to come at this time of the year, and needless to say, instills more or less good cheer in the hearts of the men.  It also makes us feel good to know that practically the entire nation is behind us in our fight for humanity, and such a spirit cannot but help to bring this war to a quick conclusion.” – Adolph Witkowsky, Fort Wadsworth, NY, December 23, 1917

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“No doubt you have read in the papers concerning the first big drive on the 13^th and 14^th of September that the Americans, under the personal direction of General Pershing, pulled off….when I get back, I will tell you all of my experience.  In the mean time, you and all the people in the states must wait and put your trust in us, the American soldiers…That makes three times I have been Over the Top and each time God has been with me because I have come out of all of them without even a scratch.” – Gennaro De Naio, Co. N, 6^th U.S. Infantry, France, October 1, 1918

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“I do not mind this front I am at now.  I only have to stay up at night with my gas mask on and once in a while they make us seek our dug outs.  We are doing great work now, and I hope the Lord will help us and maybe Fritz will give up.”  -- Charles Fauci, Battery B, 21^st F.A., France, September 18, 1918