My Grandfather Charled Edward Leach was born 3-16-1897 in La Grande, Union Co., OR. His Mother was Pearl Daphne Wright, who had arrived in La Grande in a covered wagon in 1881 from Iowa. Charles Leach was about 17 yrs. old when the GREAT WAR called him to duty. He was living in Portland, Or. at that time and was among the first Oregon boys to ship out. I would like to know, at that time, where would all the boys go for training? I have read newspaper articles from Oregon at that time, and they mention Camp Merrill, NJ. Is this correct? I imagine they would be rounded up and put on a train to NJ then after short training course, then ship out. Anyone out there know about Oregon soldiers in WWI? I would love to know more details of their enlisting and transport procedure. Lillian Kathleen Martin.