4 -#414 Twentey first from Rome               
 
                                                            
 
 
hospitals, thousand of doctors, nurses and assistants care was long   
         in the balance.  It remains almost intact.         
 
                                                            
 
 
The line presses ever onward towards the lofty Alps.  The road is   
strewn with wrecked homes, villages, railroads, bridges, highways,   
factories, forbors, ships and more important a civilian population   
left homeless in rags, under-fed, sick, wounded, or dead for our boys  
as never before in our military history.  These silent workers   
tireless and efficient are your neighbors and friends.  Our boys are   
in good hands.  we are proud of the genrals and officers who lead our   
men in the field. Beloved by their men, thoughtful of their comfort   
          using the utmost care for their welfare.          
 
                                                            
 
 
Then at last the real heroes of the nation the men will come home.    
No more crashing of arms, no more charges into the heat of battle.    
 again that is what we all look forward to on this Christmas
 
                                                            
 
 
This land of Italy is stripped of a great portion of its useful and   
essential home necessities.  Many people sleep i the fields, in   
scanty woods in caves, i shacks, inold buildings without windows or   
roofs.  In the interior many hospitals have been destroyed.  The   
civilian wreckage multiplies.  The people scurry about for   
insufficient ration of bread, cheese, no longer is within   
                     their reach, shoes