Joseph Ruggles Wilson Jr. to Woodrow Wilson

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

I am sure at this time when your heart and your mind are so engrossed with matters of international importance, that no explanation is due from you for having overlooked my birthday. I only wish that I might have celebrated my anniversary by being of some real service to you and our country, and I want to remind you of the fact that immediately after war was declared against Germany I expressed to you my desire to render any service which you might indicate.
I know, of course, that I am past the age of for bearing arms, so that that would be out of the question, but if there is any civil service which I can render, no matter how small or large it may be, please call on me.
Thank you ever so much for your invitation to go over to Washington. Of course, I know that as your brother I always have the welcome of your home, but at times like these when your every moment is filled, I always hesitate to even claim any small part of your time. For this reason, I assure you, my visits to the White House are far less frequent than they would be if I merely followed the dictates of my heart.
I wish I had known that you would spend part of Sunday off Fort Monroe, because Kate and Alice were at Virginia Beach, within a very short distance by trolley from that point, and it would have been so delightful to them I know to have gotten a glimpse of you both.
With deep love to you both,