Letter of 28 December 1917

This letter describes George's experience as a Military Policeman (M.P.) shortly after arrival in France. Although military censorship did not allow him to tell the location, the size and description make it likely that he was in Luneville, Dept. Moselle, in the Lorraine region of France.

...letter of some time ago and ansered it the next day so you will have received it by now. I also sent some Christmas cards a few days ago so you might look for them soon Mama in the letters received from you up to this date it is unknown to you that I am in France but no doubt you read in the papers about it. At last I had my picture taken and will send them as soon as the photographer finishes them. One pose is in plain uniform, and another with my pistol and Military Police badge on. How good they will be I do not know. But if you get the family group taken don't forget to send one to me right away.

The weather must be cold in K.C. right now. We were reading in the N.Y. Harold about the big snow in N.Y. City also the cold weather. There is 17 of us fellows stationed in this city (I would like to tell the name) for Military Police duty. The city has a population of 90,000 and is quite a busy place. There is French, Italian, Russian, English, Algiers, Belgian, and other different kinds of soldiers who are fighting for the allies. The French soldiers are coming in every day from the front on a leave to rest up. They have many tales to tell about the war and the battles they have been in, it is quite interesting to see them and hear what they have to say. And the ones who can talk English are always glad to talk to the American soldiers and hear what we have to say. There are a number of base hospitals here where the wounded are taken care of. It is easy to see the effects of war. Our camp is about 25 miles from here; passes are issued the soldiers on Saturday and Sundays and the Military Police act as a policeman would in K.C. to keep order among our soldiers. Christmas our co. sent us a turkey and we had it cooked up at one of the restaurants in town, also ordered a big feed to go with it so that was our Christmas dinner along with the good time we had Christmas was spent pretty good. How is papa feeling these days no doubt he is working as hard as ever. Edith Wm Eliz, Rick, Alice, Joe, Robert, Florence, Dan. P.L.E.V. hello for me. I tell the fellows I have nine bro & sisters. They laugh and say there is no need for them to fight, just turn the Anderson family on the Germans, ha ha! Well Mama I will close for now. Sending you my best love for Mother and Father, bro & sisters.

Write soon and tell me all the latest news from the N.E.