Excerpts from a letter by Edwin P. Gerth to Dr. W.E. Simonds

Excerpts from a letter by Edwin P. Gerth to Dr. W.E. Simonds

Gerth writes to Dr. Simonds that "Since we were called away last spring, Knox has shown every evidence that she has not forgotten her soldiers and you may be sure that they have not forgotten Knox. Thru letters, the Galesburg Mail and the Student we have been able to keep in pretty close touch with things and it affords us a great deal of satisfaction and pride to know that Knox is fighting on and will still be there when we return." He writes of being turned down by the R.O.T.C. and the Marines "because of slight physical deficiencies" and that he was "tickled" to receive a military position eventually. He then, much to his impatience, had to wait to go overseas. He also writes to Dr. Simonds that "Of course I am disappointed at the long delay at getting over but as Mr. Taft said in his speech here the other night, "It will be a long war and we'll all get our chance before it's over." I must start at the bottom again and this time study the science of killing instead of the science of saving lives; but with the great battle now raging to spur us on, I'm sure we'll make up for lost time." Lastly, he weighs in passionately about athletic matters at the school.

World War I; First World War; Soldiers;

Gerth, Edwin P.;

3/26/1918

15.0 x 22.8 cm

eng

text

WWI-480; WWI-481; WWI-483; WWI-484; WWI-485;

1918