(Page 1) ARMY AND NAVY YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION "WITH THE COLORS" YMCA Anhausen, Germany Jan. 9, 1919. My dear Bro. Lockhart & All the Family:- Many times since leaving Kirksville seven months ago today, I have thought of you all and have indended [sic] to write to you. I have included you and all my friends in the letters I have written to the "Express" and to the Church but still that is not just like getting a letter all your own. Well this one is yours. I find I have many friends and so many of them from various places in the States have written to me and always it is a very great pleasure for me to receive a letter from my friends. Your letter came to me some time ago. At that time I was TO THE WRITER: SAVE BY WRITING ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS PAPER TO THE FOLKS AT HOME: SAVE FOOD; BUY LIBERTY BONDS AND WAR SAVINGS STAMPS (Page 2) with our outfit in a very great bottler, one I should never forget. A letter coming in the midst of all the fighting was a source of great delight and I was mighty glad to hear from you. It was indeed kind of you to write to me. I have thought of you all so many times and have been so proud and happy to have the service flag hanging in the church for me. It has helped me to try harder to do the things which were to be done in times like we passed through. I hope you have all escaped having the "flu", it seems to have been so fatal in the States. We have had but little in our own outfit, althought I do not know how it has been among our men generally. I am glad I came over here and had a part in this great war but now that it is over I am getting anxious (Page 3) ARMY AND NAVY YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION "WITH THE COLORS" YMCA to return to my house and resume my work. I have missed the church so much, the music, the worship, the Sunday School and prayer meetings but now I am hoping it will not be to very long until I will be back to enjoy all these good things with you all again. My services have been so different here. I have preached to the men assembled in the woods, in fields, on the hill side, by the road side, in caves, halls, school houses, every where most and it has been such a pleasure to speak to them about the [illegible text] eternal. We had a long march TO THE WRITER: SAVE BY WRITING ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS PAPER TO THE FOLKS AT HOME: SAVE FOOD; BUY LIBERTY BONDS AND WAR SAVINGS STAMPS (Page 4) into Germany. I enjoyed it even though I got tired and my feet got pretty sore. I also carried a pretty good load. It won't ever be too far to walk out to your place when I get home. I suppose you all have been very busy. I should like to see you all. When I get home I'll come out and take supper and tell you all that you want to hear about what I know of the war. Until then keep a warm place in your hearts for me and keep the home fires burning. I have had many letters that have told how splendidly the folks at home have worked and sacrificed while we have been trying to do our bit on this side. We are now very happy that it is ended and we will soon get to (Page 5) ARMY AND NAVY YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION "WITH THE COLORS" YMCA return to our homes. You people in the States must have had some very great celebrations over the victory and termination of the war. We can all be glad and happy together and hope for a speedy greeting in Kirksville. Many thanks for writing to me. If you have the time I should appreciate another letter. Remembering me to my friends. Good night, good luck, God bless and keep your all. Yours in the service, C.F. Acree 126 Inf. 32 Div. A.E.F. TO THE WRITER: SAVE BY WRITING ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS PAPER TO THE FOLKS AT HOME: SAVE FOOD; BUY LIBERTY BONDS AND WAR SAVINGS STAMPS (Page 6) [no text] (Page 7) C.F. Acree 126 Inf. 32 Div. A.E.F. AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION ARMY OF OCCUPATION Mr. A.P. Lockhart. Kirksville, MO U.S.A. U.S. ARMY POST OFFICE [illegible text] 734 1 11 18 [illegible postmark] (Page 8) W.W.I.41.47