The first to be taken off were the wounded and invalids, some on stretchers, some carried on the backs of gentle comrades, who had done similar service many times before, some led, some on crutches and with canes and not a few scorning all help and making heroic effort to go unassisted. Faces beamed and every eye shone with a light not to be described. The air was red with waving banners. From every direction came shouts of welcome and greeting. Men and women stood with tear-stained faces and felt no embarrassment.
The waiting crowd had been warned that on account of quarantine regulations visitors might not mix with troops. But regulations are weak things, when hearts are overflowing. The heroes found themselves surrounded, and warm friendly hands clasped theirs in greeting.
Marching from the pier to the station. The distance from the pier to the trains which were to take the men to Camp Kearney is but a few city blocks, and the soldiers were escorted there by young women bearing two large flags—one with the stars and stripes and the other the white and red of the Czechoslovak nation. The streets were lined with automobiles, and crowds pressed in from every side to do honor to the men, but by six o’clock all trains were loaded and speeding on to Camp Kearny.
Camp Kearny is some twenty miles from the city of San Diego and our men were given nine days’ rest there before proceeding with the journey. Every moment of that time a throng of people mingled with the troops. Thousands of pictures were taken. Kind friends regardless of nationality came with gifts and dainties of every kind. There were those who wrote letters, sent telegrams, answered questions and gave advice. The Y. M. C. A. at Camp Kearney at once became the haven and headquarters for the men. This was one thing in this strange new land that was not strange or new. It needed no language to be come acquainted with the Secretary Mr. Shaffer. Our men know the Y. M. C. A . “Strejcek”. He has been a friend for a long while whose heart was tested in the far off battlefield of Siberia. In the trenches, in the huts, in the roar of battle, in the hospital and even at the edge of a hastily dug grave, these men were always at their side. One old scarred veteran remarked. “Had it not been for our Uncles, the Y. M .C. A. men, life would have indeed been impossible. No snow was so deep, no night so cold or so dark, no march so long ,but what our blessed uncles were there at our side with food, with hot drinks, with smokes, with comfort and fun to cheer and sustain us.
God bless our little Uncles, the Y.M.C.A. men; they have been through it all with us.” Every day of the nine in camp was crowded with entertainment. Tuesday evening a reception was given the men. Many addresses were made in the Czech language by both hosts and guests. They sang, and such singing one hears but seldom. Several out of town guests spent a number of days with their countrymen. Los Angeles and suburbs was represented by a delegation of some 200, Imperial valley sent practically every Czechoslovak. Miss Šárka Hrbkova, Professor in the University of Nebraska, was present a part of the time and addressed the men on several occasions: her words in the beautiful Czech tongue were met with applause and appreciation. Prof. and Mrs. Čapek of Chicago spent some days. Miss M. Madeline Veverka of Los Angeles spent the entire time in camp—interpreting, speaking, writing, send-
