One hundred years ago today, November 16, 1918, Jay wrote to Rinda and Raymond from Aix-les-Bains, France where he has been on leave. This is the most relaxed I’ve ever seen him in his letters. Seems a few days in the French Alps will do that for a guy not to mention the end of the worst war in human history.
November 16, 1918
Aix-les-Bains France
Dear Rinda & Raymond,
Spending my first seven days leave in Aix-Les-Bains which is one of the seven rest areas for men of the A.E.F. Before war Aix-Les-Bains was a very high class summer resort noted for its mineral baths and beautiful Mont Cenery. But of course it is needless to say since war it has become dead until government commenced sending men here for a week’s rest. Y.M.C.A. people are here and have a large casino based which is a real home, a large reading and writing room, billiard tables, information desk giving one all kinds of information about the trips up into Monts.
I have made several of the mont trips and they are all very interesting if men act as guides. Y people sure have done a bunch of good for us boys over here and should be given a great deal of credit. Our hotel bills are paid by government and car fare and everything as a fact all one has to spend is for extras. Of course everything over here is high. I haven’t spent much money and had an awfully good time some change from the life up where we have been.
Many months since I sleep in a real bed and those French people sure have some dandies.
Gee but this is a real place to write sure is the first chance I have had over here to do any real writing. Candle light isn’t any the best to write by. And at times we didn’t have that.
How Raymond & yourself, do hope you are doing well? How about N.D. is it cold up there now. We are wearing overcoats here first time this week hows that for Nov.
Supper time I will close.
Good bye Bbl love, J/
Sgt Jay E. Shetler
Co “A” 301st Engineers
A.E.F. France
Jay in the Great War 