A World War I letter from Lloyd “Skip” Enders dated 26 November 1918 was printed in the Elizabethville Echo, 26 December 1918:
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Headquarters 4th Supply Train
U.S. Army Service
November 26th, 1918
Dear Friend: –
This being the 26th of November I find it my duty to try and write you a Christmas letter. On account of the shortage of time and having so many people to write to without slighting any am obliged to make it brief.
Today we are honored as one of the victorious armies and also as one of the Occupation Troops and now are on our way to occupy the territory evacuated by the German troops. Our previous work is a trivial matter in comparison to what must be done in the near future; but we have lived through and won the first ACT and we will thoroughly complete the second with just as good results. After that we will patiently await our journey – Homeward Bound.
Winter is fast approaching making our task much more difficult, but knowing that PEACE is very close at hand we are all willing to confront the trials confronting us and return shouting and doing the Indian War Dance.
I don’t think it will be very long until I will be able to talk to you in person and only then will I be able to go into details, as time is too precious and valuable to think of it now. We are getting our implements of war into good working condition as we know not how soon we will be forced to use them, for when we get on and beyond the border line of Alsace-Lorraine and Germany we will carry them with us at all times as some of the Boche are still seeking revenge; but let them start something, we are the clean up gang.
I am still at the same place (Hdq.) and doing the same thing. So far as I am concerned I have nothing to report, wishing to state, however, that I am in perfect health and sincerely hope you are the same. I think in a day or two I will be on my way to the designated place on the border where things will be served American style.
At one time I thought that I would spend Christmas on United States soil, but now I am obliged to prolong my stay here a few months and know that when we do get back that we shall have accomplished something worthy of mention. Well, it it is not Christmas that I will spend among you, Washington’s birthday will answer just as well, and I feel like starting the celebration now.
While I will spent Thanksgiving and Christmas perhaps conversing with the Germans, my you be gayly conversing with your friends and remember that you have a friend over there patiently awaiting a trip to the good old U.S., and greet Miss Liberty Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Yours sincerely.
“SKIP”
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