unmentioned executive cares incident to the vast work of the Salvation
Army in these United States, I felt compelled to requisition some
competent person to aid me in the literary work associated with the
production of a concrete story. In this I was most fortunate, for a writer
of established worth and national fame in the person of Mrs. Grace
Livingston Hill came to my assistance; and having for many days had the
privilege of working with her in the sifting process, gathering from the
mass of matter that had accumulated and which was being daily added to,
with every confidence I am able to commend her patience and toil. How well
she has done her work the book will bear its own testimony.

This foreword would be incomplete were I to fail in acknowledging in a
very definite way the lavish expressions of gratitude that have abounded
on the part of "The Boys" themselves. This is our reward, and is a very
great encouragement to us to continue a growing and more permanent effort
for their welfare, which is comprehended in our plans for the future. The
official support given has been of the highest and most generous
character. Marshal Foch himself most kindly cabled me, and General
Pershing has upon several occasions inspired us with commendatory words of
the greatest worth.

Our beloved President has been pleased to reflect the people's pleasure
and his own personal gratification upon what the Salvation Army has
accomplished with the troops, which good-will we shall ever regard as one
of our greatest honors.

The lavish eulogy and sincere affection bestowed by the nation upon the
organization I can only account for by the simple fact that our
ministering members have been in spirit and reality with the men.