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Non-Combatant Troops
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There was little difference in the spirit of those who went to
France as welfare workers and those who went as soldiers. Both felt
the urge of the hour—both desired to be stationed where they could
give most—serve most. Hence it was not strange that we reached the
Y headquarters in Paris hoping to be forwarded to some one of the
fighting units, and that during the ten days of preparation for the
camp, we were looking wishfully toward the front. Indeed, one of us had
come from Illinois, and had already been adopted as the daughter of the
370th Regiment. The other had come from the Metropolis, and somehow
felt the whole responsibility for the welfare of the “Fifteenth New
York” and the “Buffaloes” resting upon her weak shoulders. It is easy
then to imagine our disappointment when we were assigned to the S. O.
S., or Service of Supplies Sector. It was just at this point we found
it necessary as members of the American Expeditionary Forces to learn
one of the most important lessons of the army—that of obedience.
[Illustration: ON THE WAY TO THE DOCKS AT ST. NAZAIRE