The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-20
THE SOLDIERS HOMECOMING

Lakeland has given her returning
soldier boys a welcome that must have
been deeply gratifying to them, as it
was pleasure TO her citizens to ten
der ii. The demonstration given the
homecoming soldiers has a deeper sig
niicance than they perhaps might
attach TO it, 1t is something more
than a mere expression of natural
pleasure and satisfaction because of
the safe return of friends and kins-
men from an absence involving a de-
gree of danger and hardships 1t is
a manifestation OF appreciation and
approval OF the spirit which led them
to leave their homes, to lay aside
their accustomed avocations, to leave,
behind the ease and comforts of
civil life. and fare forth to endure for
months the grind and monotony of
camp life. and TO give their time,
their labor and perhaps their lives.
in the service of their country. That
is the spirit which constitutes true pa
the ages has lifted men from the ruts
of the commonplace, nerved them to
deeds of valor and made of them he
roes. We are proud that it has been
shown that this spirit of patriotism
hourishes in this community; proud
that Lakeland is one of the cities of
Florida that sent a company to the
front: proud that we have young men
among us who had the courage. the
manhood. the stamina. to answer
their country's call in her hour of
need. We feel that we can depend
upon these men as defenders OF our
flag and our national honor: that they
have been tried and found not want
ing; and that if their country should
again require protection or defense,
they would again respond with the
same readiness as before-but with
the advantage of tenfold the efficiency.
For while we would not minimize
their service while we know life of
soldier ON the Border has not been
one of ease. and that discomforts
have been endured. il is only neces-
sary to look at the ruddy faces and
the splendid physiques of the return.
ing soldiers to realize that they are
far better men than when they went
away
Then. too, as they have come back
better men physically. we believe
Americans-better qualified to take up
the duties of citizenship. Certainly
they always. in the years to come,
will have greater love and reverence
for the flag under which they have
served and for the country to which
in a sense they have given part
of their lives. They may not again
be called upon to take up arms in the
service of their country. but they
should remember that opportunities
for service to their country do not
terminate when they lay aside their
uniforms. In taking up the duties of
good citizenship as civilians. in using
their voice and influence at all times
in behalf of civic righteousness. and
law, and justice. and good govern
ment. they can do service to their
country not less valuable than that
of the soldier in camp or on the bat
tlefield.
Lakeland is proud of the record
made by her soldiers on the Border.
The colonel of their regiment bears
testimony to this record. and from
official reports and from other au-
thentic and disnterested sources we
have reason to believe that no divis-
ion of the army on the Border. not
even excepting the regulars. made a
better record in the service than did
our own Company ID.
We are profoundly grateful that no
one of these soldier boys who went
away from Lakeland failed to come