The YMCA played a big role in providing services for soldiers during WWI. During WWI the YMCA raised and spent over $155 million on welfare efforts for American soldiers and deployed over 25,000 staff in military units and bases from Siberia to Egypt to France. They took over the military’s morale and comfort operations worldwide (source: Wikipedia).
The postcard above shows an Army YMCA truck loaded with mail from soldiers to "the folks at home." This postcard is unused, but the YMCA postcard below does have a message on the back.
The sweetheart card was sent from Spartanburg, S. C., Wadsworth Br. a few days after the Armistice in November 1918.
Camp Wadsworth served as one of America's premier army mobilization centers from 1917 to 1919. A website memorializing the 100,000 soldiers who trained at Camp Wadsworth and the Spartanburg citizens who helped to make the installation a success describes the role of the YMCA in a chapter on Fighting Boredom: Life at Camp Wadsworth:
The United States government considered boredom to be one of the foremost enemies of soldiers in the training camps. It was feared that a soldier who was not properly entertained and morally educated would succumb to temptations of drink and debauchery. In order to prevent this, civilian and military officials sought to create a wholesome environment within each training camp that would keep the soldiers both mentally and physically healthy. The YMCA, YWCA, Knights of Columbus, Jewish Welfare Board, and the Red Cross were the key agencies in this crusade for morality. All of these organizations opened up facilities in the training camps, with the YMCA being by far the most important participant. Government officials hoped that the soldiers would patronize these organizations within the camp instead of visiting the town saloon or brothel. Alcohol was completely band (sic) within a five mile radius of all training camps.
Camp Wadsworth's entertainment facilities were typical of World War I era army installations. Seven YMCA huts were eventually constructed within the camp. These buildings measured 40x113 feet and could each accommodate 5000 to 6000 soldiers. The Spartanburg Herald newspaper reported that "Every facility at the command of the Association will be brought to bear on this great problem of serving the men through athletics, indoor games, writing rooms, entertainment of various sorts, religious meetings, Bible classes, etc." Letter writing and group singing were among the most common activities promoted by the YMCA.
The video below tells about the YMCA in WWI by means of song and vintage images.
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Camp Wadsworth must be no more than 60 miles from where I live but I have never heard of it. I feature another WW1 training camp in my post this weekend too. I continue to be astounded at the amount of effort and organization that the United States mobilized in 1917-18.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a rather ‘ghostly’ sweetheart. I don’t think I’d find her presence very comforting.
ReplyDeleteI recently read a novel written back then that described the work of the YMCA or maybe it was the Salvation Army during WW1. Anyway, it sounded like they did a lot to make camp life less depressing, under the circumstances that wasn't always easy.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea the YMCA played such an important role in the war. And they even provided post cards. When you're facing the prospect of being blown to kingdom come, a little drink and debauchery seem perfectly understandable.
ReplyDeleteI always think of the Y as a place where people could stay and get a meal; today it is a place to swim, workout, and take classes. I didn't know of the other areas like the mail.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with LIttle Nell - that phantom sweetheart is a little scary!
ReplyDeleteSome reliable sentry he would be with a lassie by his side. Logistics is not a word which often comes into my mind but seeing that truck full of mail makes you think about the long chain of organization which leads to it arriving to deliver letters. And letters were only a small part of the overall organzation.. Wouldn;t it be interesting to see a flow chart of all the people and offices involved going from the person in charge of Forces mail right down to a soldier/sailor/airman receiving his mail.
ReplyDeleteI love the YMCA cards, especially the one depicting the sweetheart as a ghost.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting information, and excellent postcards. The ghost sweetheart is something new!
ReplyDeleteA great postcard to indicate the sweetheart not far from his thoughts.
ReplyDeleteFantastic selection for this week. I agree, she is too ghostly!
ReplyDeleteAs ever a great selection of cards to match this week's theme
ReplyDeleteSo don't we all find ourselves 'together' with imaginary people to comfort us in difficult or lonely times? She does look a little ghostly, but I'm not sure how else she might have been portrayed in the picture - except maybe in a 'thought bubble' above the soldier's head?
ReplyDeleteI never knew how the YMCA was involved in all of that; I'm impressed! And I really like the ghostly sweetheart -- kinda sad, really...
ReplyDeleteI continue to be amazed at your collection of cards.
ReplyDeleteThe card of the ghostly sweetheart is very poignant. I can imagine that the thoughts of loved ones during quieter times is what kept many men going, although the picture is a bit creepy.
"I can always find a little sunshine in the YMCA"....hearbreaking song. Thanks for including the video. I had no idea that the YMCA was so active in the war effort. So much to learn!
ReplyDeleteMany of my grandfather's letters home to my grandmother during WW I were written on paper with the YMCA logo on it. I have no doubt that he found the efforts of the YMCA a comfort to him being so far away from home. Thank you for sharing this informative information about that worthy organization.
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