To order free classroom sets of 30 copies, with a teacher guide, call 206-448-8399.

For single reprints, call 206-448-8066.

This powerful story of a nurse who served near the front lines of World War I has touched the lives of readers across the country, even Europe. P-I reporter Carol Smith's compelling piece about her grandmother, Laura Frost Smith, who was 105 and living in California when this story was published Sept. 24, 1998, is a moving account of the war and the women who served in it, the first women to officially join the U.S. military.

Eight decades later, Laura Smith's revealing experiences -- and the lessons learned -- echo in her granddaughter's life and in those of women across the world. Many readers called the story the best they had ever read in a newspaper.

Laura Frost Smith passed away Nov. 18, 1998. She had contracted bronchitis, which developed into a drug-resistant infection.

Before her death, Laura Smith was able to enjoy the piece as it was read to her, and she also received numerous cards and letters from readers, as well as a selection of the more than 100 voice-mail and e-mail appreciations that came to Carol. Laura Smith knew how her life touched thousands of readers in the P-I's circulation area, as well as across the country.

The French Embassy in Washington, D.C., has forwarded a copy by diplomatic pouch to Paris, where Laura Smith is being considered for the French Legion of Honor medal.

"Witness to War" is already an award winner -- selected as the top feature published that month in Hearst newspapers. It has been published in several other newspapers; many used it on Veterans Day.

More than 2,000 P-I readers -- from the appreciative elderly, to thankful Vietnam vets to intrigued high school students -- have received free reprints to share with family and friends. Teachers in universities, high schools and middle schools found "Witness to War" an excellent vehicle to explore U.S. history, women's history, war and journal keeping. Free classroom sets include a copy for each student and a lesson plan for the teacher.

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