Letter, Ralph Errington Ward to Eleanor Roosevelt

Pending We 100.1 May 29, 1944 Dear Captain Ward: Thank you for your very kind le tter. I am glad indeed if my visit cheered you and your comrades in New Caledonia. Are you now in 8 hospital or are you stationed here on duty? Would you care to come to see the White House some day? Sincerely yours, O Captain Ralph E. Ward 4900 Nichols Avenue S.E. Washington ain 5:29 MAY 23 REC'D RALPH ERRINGTON WARD CAPTAIN, ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES Mrs Franklin D Roosevelt Twenty-second The White House May Washington, District of Columbia Forty Four My dear Mrs Roosevelt It is with great humility, but with heartfelt thanks, that I write this note to you. Sometime ago I was serving with the Armed Forces in the South Pacific, and happened to be at a little banana grove near the Headquarters on New Caledonia (nearing five o'clock in the afternoon) when you so graciously spoke to a group of about one hundred gathered there. Un- fortunately an Officer is human, and his spirit drops at times: that afternoon was one of these times for the writer, and as you spoke to us I seemed to see my own Mother through you, and to hear the message she wanted to send. It wasn't too long later that I was sent home for hospitalization after two years out there, but the biggest "lift" I had while there was seeing a Great Lady who is interested in the soldiers. Thank you for myself and for the men out there-keep up these trips, the men love them. Most respectfully, Raeph Enrecigton ward. 4900 Nichols Avenue SW Washington 20, District of Columbia Thank him of his yhice in I statiend on duty well We Ferm the WW-H. tow day ER