Adopted Boys at Oteen Hospital for Veterans Thank Hickory for Remembering Them, Jan. 10, 1921

Boxes of crepe paper and Christmas tree decorations were sent up several days in advance and the boys had a great time decorating their own ward and tree. Besides the box of hand made cakes and candy, which was sent to the ward, each boy received a Christmas stocking stuffed with goodies and an individual present, such as a bath robe, bed room slippers, cap, socks, sweater, hot water bottle, foot warmer, fountain pen, or other useful articles. Several of them write that their ward was beautiful and that, thanks to the people of Hickory, they had the happiest Christmas that they had ever had away from home. Another boy wrote to Mrs. K.C. Menzies: Dear Friend: Am in receipt of your kind letter, also receive this fountain pen this morning and words cannot express the appreciation I owe the folks of Hickory and yourself. My Christmas this year was one of happiness and content and will always linger in my mind the kindness and “home like” feeling that the folks of Hickory and Asheville extend to the comrades who participated in the world war. Life once more is sweet and precious when one fully realizes the abundance of friends he possesses. Kindly extend my thanks to your good organization and yourself for the kind and blessed work you have conducted at Oteen the past years. . . . . (From the Hickory Daily Record, Jan. 10, 1921)