In the morning we had chats with the men and had a very pleasant time. Meeting at night was fine. The men were a picture, and if it was on canvas would be famous. One held a candle while two had a book and they sang; and they could sing. The hall was dotted over with candles, and at the tables were men who had come over here to give their lives for right and justice. Twenty asked for prayers.
More Information
The following section provides historical context and is not part of the original diary entry.
Likely location: Bure / Meuse department, France
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December 1917 brought harsh winter conditions to northeastern France. Margaret celebrated Christmas at Bure in the Meuse department, providing holiday cheer to soldiers far from home during their first winter overseas.
Research Links for Further Study
- Library of Congress. (n.d.). The American Expeditionary Forces. Library of Congress Digital Collections.
- Boissoneault, L. (2017, April 12). The women who fried donuts and dodged bombs on the front lines of WWI. Smithsonian Magazine.
- Cantwell, C. (n.d.). Doughboys & doughnut girls: The Salvation Army and WWI. National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Diary of a World War I Donut Girl 