The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1917-07-07
Guards Rank as Veterans.

II 10 q NCltId IOtC6 WHICH Will, Ou
this occasion, represent Pennsylvania
in the Federal service. Tne Guard is
but recently returned from a srenu-
Gus period Of duty on the Mexican
border. Long hours of stiff practice
In military maneuver under the bli6
ter1ng rays of tropical sun have
case-nardened the guardsmen And
their efficiency has become matter
of national record.
They did their bit' side by eide
with the regular army on the border
land, acquiring, by emulation, many OF
the campaigning tricks Of the expert
enced older.
But efficient as is this fine sta e
soldiery, its numerical strength is
much below the war standard fixed by
the Federal government. Some regl.
ments can muster, at present, only
two-thirds of the number they should
have in their ranks.
Pennsylyania's young manhood
which recently made such ar inspiring
response TO the call for registration
now has another patriotic duty con-
fronting II; Those who have register
ed are eligible, for military service
Sooner or later they will be ordered
to report for physical examination and,
If up to the physical requirements, Will
be ordered into the military service.
There Is no obligation, however, up
on registered man to await a formal
call to arms. In fact, since it is more
than likely he must go 1t is greatly t.
his own advantage to be the arbiter,
himself, or where, when and how ne
shall go.
Enlistment Beats Draft.
Isn't 1t better, by way of examp,e e,
for an eligible man to enlist, now. in
a r1 of L
section, where he will stand shoulder
to-shoulder with friends, than to hold
back until ordered into the service,
assigned, perhaps, to a newly-form
command where he VIII be a stranger
among strangers?
There is the glory of regimental
prestige-the satisfaction that springs
from association with an organization
OF old and hOnored traditions-and the
confidence that is begotten of comra6e.
ship to commend voluntary enlistment.
All of these are assured to the man
who picks home regiment.
On the other hand, none of these
things is assured to the man who waits
for regiment to pick him. Voluntary
enlistment gives a sure-thing choice.
But the only sure thing in store for the
man who waits is the sure thing that
he will have to go, if he is fit to go
The Guard offers the same induce.
ment in variety of service that is Of
fered by the regular army. Infantry,
artillery, cavalry and engineers are
open to recruiting.
This puts the Guard on the footing
OF the regular service, of which il IS
soon to be a part. From the recruit
ing end, Guard service Is even more
desirable with its opportunities afford
ed recruits to be placed in the ranks
with the boys from home.
Always maintaining the highest pay
of any army in the world, the army
service-both regulars and Guard
has taken new lead far beyond even
it's old payroll standard. The rate of
pay for enlisted men is now $40 per
month and upwards.
Even at $40 a month there is a big
inducement to save. Since everything
is found" for men in the service, ex-
penditures need only be for few per-
sonal luxuries. It is figured that a
man may easily save two-thirds of his
pay There is a system in vogue by
posit, and 4 per cent interest is al
lowed.
Army's Brighter Side.
And these are details not to be over
looked even by men who are keen in
and Nation. That there are many such
is the confident hope of the Pennsyl-
vania Guard.
1t is men of that calibre who have
made the Guard what it is today And
it is to men OF that calibre whom they
are appealing to make the Guard what
it must be in the future If il is meet
the high hopes of the State, the Ma
tion and a stricken world.
The sky is overcast, and the war
clouds have gathered. There is sore
need here. and elsewhere, of that pic
tured uprising of patriot manhood to
strike a blow for the Old Flag and the
Old Land.
And now-what does the mastering
in OF the National Guard mean to you?
Has it stirred you to no sense Of
your personal responsibility in this
great crisis?
Has it not caused you to feel that it
is your duty to stand in those bristling
country's living walls OF
defense-just as much as it is the duty
of those gallant men who have been
standing there from the first moment
of danger?
If it does not mean all of this-and
more-to you. then you have failed TO
grasp its meaning.
Pennsylvania treasures grateful
memories of sons who have nObly re
sponded to her call in every grave
hour of the past.
Shall Pennsylvania call. today,
find sons too Indifferent to give heed
in this the gravest moment OF her
history?
There is one sure response;
Fill up the National Guard