Ray Laurence Mercer

May 25, 1944

Three members of the graduating class who will exchange their caps and gowns for "shoot suits" are RAY MERCER, Jimmie Hargett and Harold McAlexander. Danny Rodgers who is a member of the junior class will also be leaving soon after the close of school to be inducted into the army.

June 29, 1944

RAY MERCER left here Monday for induction into the army. He is the third son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Mercer now in the army.

July 6, 1944

RAY MERCER, third son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Mercer in the army and who recently became 18, has been assigned to an anti-aircraft training unit at Camp Stewart, Georgia, near Savannah.

July 20, 1944

A letter from Pvt. RAY MERCER at Camp Stewart, Ga., said

"I am writing to let you know how I'm getting along in. the army and also to thank you for the paper. I really enjoy it. I have found the army very interesting and exciting, although there are a lot of ups and downs for all of us. I'm not trying to say, however, that I don't miss the folks back in good old Bunnell.

Most of the officers here have been in actual combat, and they really know their business. They are more reasonable than I have found in the other two camps I've been in. We are kept very busy. I would like to write many more back home but time will not permit. Give them all my regards."

August 17, 1944

Pvt. Johnnie Mercer left Wednesday for Ft. Smith, Ark., where he will be stationed with an armored outfit, after spending at 10-day furlough with his family. During the past weekend, he and others of his family spent a day at Camp Stewart with his brother, RAY MERCER who is stationed there.

September 14, 1944

Pvt. RAY MERCER, in an AA outfit at Camp Stewart, Ga., was here over the weekend visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Mercer.

December 14, 1944

From one of the fellows who recently went into the army and is now at Camp Howze, Texas. Pvt. RAY MERCER writes:

"After some time of confusion, I'm way up in the northern part of Texas.

Many have told me that I am in the best part of Texas. Well, all I can say is that I would hate to see the worst part.

I'm to receive infantry advance training here. They are really pushing us through too. If we drop our pencil during one of the lectures, we do not dare try picking it up for fear we will miss something.

Gainesville, a town of about 11,000 and about seven miles from camp, is a right nice town. It is typically western. The cowboys are really dressed up when they go to town-brightly shined boots, gaily colored pants and shirt, bright neckties, and their big white or brown hats.

Give my regards to all the folks in good old Bunnell."

December 28, 1944

Well, Christmas has come and "went," and now 1945 is just around the corner for all of us. Let us hope all of us will be able to celebrate Christmas of 1945 together once again.

The editor of this column feels today about like "Father Time" looks, acknowledges with appreciation greeting cards from more of you fellows scattered around the world.

Other cards received included those from ...... Pvt. RAY MERCER in Texas......

January 18, 1945

A short note from Pvt. RAY L. MERCER, now at Camp Howze, Texas. Ray says:

"Back again to let you know that I have appreciated you sending me The Tribune. It keeps me up on not only things about Bunnell but also about many of the service men.

This training period here has been a very rugged one. I have made it all.

I hear from the boys who are at Camp Robinson quite often and also from Harold McAlexander who was out on the big pond. Harold seems to be well pleased with his assignment now.

I will send you my new address in the next letter. Until then my best regards to all those back home."

March 15, 1945

Pvt. RAY MERCER has arrived in France and is assigned to an armored infantry outfit.

March 22, 1945

Pvt. RAY MERCER writes to his parents here that he is with an armored outfit in the 3rd Army in Germany and has already been in action. He arrived overseas a few weeks ago.

May 10, 1945

A letter from Pvt. RAY MERCER, dated April 23, in Germany: "Just a few lines to let you know that I'm getting The Tribune now and as the rest of the boys and gals in service, enjoy it very much. I want to thank you for it.

One of my buddies enjoys it right along with me. He asks me about everyone in it.

Most of all, I enjoy the Service Men's Column. I then have an idea of where the rest of the boys are.

There's not much I can tell you about myself, although I would like to. We are very busy keeping the Jerries on the run.

Give my best regards to all the folks."

June 7, 1944

M/Sgt. Zeno Mercer advises his parents here that he is at Le Havre, France, and Pfc. Johnny Mercer is on the border of Czechoslovakia and Austria, but they had not yet learned just where the third son, Pfc. RAY MERCER is, but was in Germany at last accounts.

June 28, 1945

We got word this week of two Flagler county boys meeting in Jena, France. The boys were RAY MERCER and Sammy May. Sammy was recently attached to the infantry outfit that was moved to Ray's station.

Ray was standing at a 3rd story window and saw Sammy standing in front of the building. Sammy said that he was the first Flagler county boy he had seen in the ETO.

August 23, 1945

A letter from Pfc. RAY L. MERCER who was at Camp Lucky Strike, near Le Havre, France, at the time he wrote:

"I have been receiving The Tribune quite regularly lately and have enjoyed it very much. We hope all receive letters from many friends there at home, but our mail call is not complete until we get the Tribune.

Since VE day I have been moved back, from my forward most position in Germany - from one position to another until today I am here at Luck Strike.

I am not assigned to the 6th Armored division and am here, awaiting reassignment and shipment. I don't know when I'll ship but I hope it’s not very much longer now.

I certainly hated to leave the 6th division for Sammy May and I were seeing each other quite a bit. They were leaving only high point men in the 6th so that definitely put me out.

I am mailing you a small book of poems, ‘With God in Germany,’ which was one of the first books to be published in occupied Germany. The author, Kendall B. Burgess, is our chaplain here. Thought you might like one.

Well, a few hours have passed since I started this letter and some orders have come out since then. Lucky me! I'm on those orders and we are to sail around the 20th of this month (August). That's several days yet and lots of changes could still be made, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed now, and hoping that they aren't changed.

I want to thank you for the Tribune, and I hope it won't be too long now before all us boys and girls are back home for good."

September 6, 1945

Pfc. RAY L. MERCER sends us from Europe a book of poems that was written by the chaplain in his outfit. The book is entitled, "With God in Germany." Ray told us in his letter of two weeks ago that he was sending a copy to us.

October 11, 1945

Pfc. RAY MERCER writes his parents here that he is now at Camp Lucky Strike in France and is working as chaplain's assistant there. He said that “it looks now as if it will be a good long time before I get home.”

December 13, 1945

RAY MERCER, in the army in Austria, has been made a T/5, we are informed.