Dear Mom and Dad, The war over here is terrible.

There are soldiers dying around me every day, men that I have become friends, even family with are dying in handfuls by the day. There are times when the attacks of mustard gas are so terrible that we fear none of us will make it out of here alive. People are developing trench food from standing in wet socks in the mud all day and it is not uncommon to lose a limb. There are times when I wonder why we are fighting this wretched war but then I remember all of you back home and I gain the strength to fight another day. Hopefully I will make it home safely, I miss you all every day when I sit here thinking about home for hours on end. We are constantly stuck in such a stalemate that it seems that this war will only end when one side finally surrenders out of boredom or lack of troops. Hopefully that will not be us and I will be home soon. Keep praying for me and writing, your letters bring hope to me and remind me that there is still good in this world. Keep me updated with things going on at home and I hope to see you soon.

Love, your son, James