Written at a later date: Before Christmas, I went to the Regt. Supply Segt. one hundred miles to get Christmas cheer for the dear boys, and while they had “corned willies” for Christmas dinner (the fresh meat did not arrive in time), we made up for it in the evening. We had a nice entertainment in the old wrecked chapel near the chateau. There was a tree and Santa Clause and the boys were served with cake, chocolate, candy, and cigars. The tree and its decorations were from the Argonne Forest, where so many Americans lives were lost. The old chapel in which we had our festivities was all wrecked, and we used tarpaulins to cover the holes in the roof. Can you imagine having a good time in such a place as this? But we did, and had the finest time, as we could not be home with the folks.
More Information
The following section provides historical context and is not part of the original diary entry.
Likely location: Cornay, Ardennes, France
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December 1918 was the first month of peace after four years of war. Margaret remained at Cornay in the Ardennes, serving soldiers who were now on occupation duty or awaiting demobilization. It was a time of reflection, celebration, and adjustment.
Research Links for Further Study
- U.S. Army Center of Military History. (n.d.). Occupation and demobilization, 1918–1923. U.S. Army.
- Regional History Institute. (n.d.). Coblenz — A real American city in Europe. In Stars and Stripes over the Rhine.
- Boissoneault, L. (2017, April 12). The women who fried donuts and dodged bombs on the front lines of WWI. Smithsonian Magazine.
Diary of a World War I Donut Girl 