During His Tour of Duty in WWI (1917)

(otherwise undated)

Co. C. 321 F.S. Bn.*

Plattsburg, NY

Dear Sister,

Was very glad to hear from you and to get such a good letter. Hope you are all well.

I'm in the hospital. Came in yesterday (Fri) at 1:30 P.M. I had my nose operated on and will leave tomorrow I believe. The operation was not bad except that it bled considerable, but it is getting along O.K. I'm feeling fine otherwise and like the work more the more we get of it.

When we leave of course is uncertain but we expect to before very long. This is being changed into a base hospital.

I heard from Mother today and she is much better. I wish she could have a more enjoyable home. I feel that she surely deserves it.

I enjoy getting lots of mail but it takes a lot of time to answer ten or fifteen every week.

Glad you like it there and that you have a Christian home. Those boys surely need the best care possible for them. I hope to have a family some day but many of the boys with such hopes are having their lives wrecked.

Your prayers are appreciated and I feel that I can live a clean life in the army with the hopes of a better world.

Love to all.

Your Brother

Willis C. McGuire

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Co. C. 321 F.S. Bn.*

My Dear Sister:

Your letter gladly received a few days ago. Have been quite busy but it is raining this A.M. Began raining while we were parading in a grand review of all the troops here, we got a little wet but are about dried out. I'm feeling fine and weigh about 170. My picture shows it a little but it is so poor that I hated to send them at all, but can't afford to have others taken, haven't the time either.

We had some drill in tent pitching this P.M. and it is work for U.S in reality.

The rifles on the range are shooting and we hear it distinctly here as it is only about 1/2 mile away.

It is now about sundown, and I have to mail this tonite. Tell the boys that they want to be good and eat a lot so as to become big, like their Uncle. Ha.

Tell Mrs. Bell that I haven't gotten her letter yet and would be very glad to hear from them.

And so Mary Sheets finally married Gene. Well she got considerable wealth I guess.

The thot of going over is hard in a way but it is also a chance for a great trip as well as helping to drive out a great wrong in this world. The chances are about 35 to one that I will get back O.K. and that's about as good as anywhere. There are several killed but there are also a great host yet living. This is a great chance to help in a great work and I'm glad that I am so that I can help. Also glad that I'm in such an important branch of the service.*

After I'm gone, not before, address Willis C. McGuire

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Notes:

* Field Signal Battalion

** This parenthetical "P.S." may refer to a remark his sister made in her letter, telling about her having to operate her and Uncle Charlie's home in Topeka on 58 cents per day. Charlie worked for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe RR Company.