WWI – Lost Greetings

No sign of moving yet [1919 – Bar-le-Duc, France]

July 22, 2017August 4, 2020 Kate

The Treaty of Versailles had not yet been signed, but Umberger can certainly see the light at the end of the tunnel. With a location-less postmark from the U.S. Army Postal Service, there’s no telling exactly from where in Europe this postcard was sent. Umberger would likely have been in the vicinity of Bar-le-Duc at some point to have acquired the image of this town in Northwest France. Hopefully he arrived back on American soil not long after his postcard did.

I have two postcards from this WWI soldier, A.C. Umberger. Here is the other, sent in March 1919.

A pretty nice place. Hope to be home soon to play with you but there is no sign of moving yet.

Yours

A.C. Umberger

To:

Miss Jean T. Hunter
326 E. Bucynus St.
Crestline, Ohio
U.S.A.

Postmark: U.S. Army Postal Service, Feb 18, 1919 / “Passed as censored” stamp

Image: Bar-le-Duc

Commentary

Remembering on Memorial Day 2017

May 28, 2017September 6, 2017 Kate

I have a special passion for finding military postcards because they hit home for me, personally. Many of my immediate family members have served in the military, and I have lived overseas myself. These messages provide a fascinating peek into the daily lives of service members, and I will continue to post more military postcards from my collection in the coming months.

Lost Greetings Military Postcards, to date

“U.S. troops almost buried by parcels do their best to handle that year’s holiday mail.”

Memorial Day Remains Relevant

American service members from every generation have fallen, from the Revolutionary War through the present. These are the members of the military who we have lost so far in 2017.

Link: 2017 Fallen (Military Times)

Please remember them and their families. In the U.S., Memorial Day honors those who have paid the utmost price for the freedom of others. I hope that you take a moment to honor those who did not come home and those who loved them.

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Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

Another view of the Castle [1919 – Marseilles, France]

April 29, 2017August 4, 2020 Kate

Great War Postcard Mar 1919 back lg

Through some quick census research, I’m fairly sure this postcard was sent by Herbert to his father. It boggles my mind that this postcard was sent nearly a century ago.

Tarascon-sur-Rhone Wikipedia

Great War Postcard Mar 1919 lg

Another view of the Castle. Am on my way to Taulon and St Raphael. Am in Marsailles now.

Yours

A. C. Umberger

To:

Mr. G. E. Umberger
326 E. Bucyrus St.
Crestline, Ohio

From:

Herbert C. Umberger

Postmark: U.S. Army Post Office M.P.F.S. Mar 20, 1919

Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

The Great War [1919, France]

January 7, 2017August 4, 2020 Kate

great-war-postcard-apr-1919-back Wartime postcards are among my favorite finds. This one features two famous Parisian landmarks on the reverse.

The Treaty of Versailles had been signed and Armistice Day was not far in the past when this postcard was censored by a U.S. Army Captain. The Great War was all but over for this soldier who apparently had some free time to visit Brussels. I can’t imagine what harrowing things he experienced during his service in Europe, but I am glad he seemed to make it through.

More information about WWI postcards via the Smithsonian National Postal Museum: http://arago.si.edu/record_76880_img_1.html

great-war-postcard-apr-1919

France Apr 8/19

Your kind letter received and was very glad to hear from you. Had a pleasant visit to Brussels Belg. and Paris. Oh you Paris. Hope this finds you well.

From

Ges[?]

Censored by Captain U.S. Army

To:

Mrs. R. P. Alexander
3344 Ruckle St
Indianapolis, Ind. USA

Postmark: U.S. Army with “Passed as Censored” Stamp

Image: Place de la Concorde, Paris. Obelisk with the Arc de Triomphe in the distance.

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Lost Greetings Military Postcards, to date

World War I

World War II

1950s

Memorial Day Remains Relevant

Link: 2017 Fallen (Military Times)