The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1917-11-30

THANKSGIVING In this great world war. Al the
training stations, the ships which patrol the
coast lines, in the submarines which move about
n hundred feet below the surface of the water
and on the great battleShips on the high seas
THANKSGIVING day is to be observed as 1t never
before has been by the boys and men VINO are
dcdcating their lives to Americas cause. VIII
not be merely a day of sensuous pleasures or
stuffing oneself with foods to please the taste;
rather it will be day of mental inspiration, or
a spiritual qualification OF thoughts OF nome anu
those who dear.
In a general why the stories of how ThanksglV-
ing IS observed IN the two branches of the Amer
lean fighting forces do not differ. Soldiers VINO
are yet in this country will perhaps be gwen iur-
,oughs so that they can be with their families or
other relatives on Thanksgiving day. Sailors ana
marines who are detailed to the training stations
NAV be invited out for the day or they may gather
in the big mess halls for Il program. But the lads
who are far away from their loved ones, those
who are on the high will experience a feel
Ing entirely new to them. And II Is going to have
tremendously important influence, TOO. Per
hans you have wondered some time or other why
the tich,-fittng blouse. the black handkerchief,
and his saucy little white cap seem to give the
lnckie more youthful appearance than the Khaki
or olive drab do to the soldier.
II is not a deception resulting from marked
difference in the uniforms Rather this apparent
boyish appearance of the jackies in comparison
! Il
iust boys-the brightest yAlth Of America, who,
before they have attained their manhood, are
offering their lives to make this country secure
from Prussianism and TO establish peace through
out the world
A spirit Of youth permeates the United States
aavy-an atmosphere which perhaps is not TO be
! found in the army, Most of the boys, who are
being trained to the batteshps and the
! ma iority of those who already have met the Ger
\ I'm b0t their
| teens There is fascination for the sea, for the
experiencc of moving about on the waters ana De
| Ing constantly in danger Of attack from beneath
! the sea or by hostile ships-a something which
! holds peculiar charm for American youth And
! so 1t is that the American navy is composed Of
! a great host of young men--youth who seek ad-
venture, those who are eager to avenge the ter
| ribe atrocities wrought by Germany.
Months have passed since many of these young
jackies, transformed in an incredibly snort une
/ from schooboys 10 fighting memo wars men, left
! their mothers and their fathers to Join other
youths in protecting country from the raw
| ages of barbarian foe. Their activities have
been so strenuous that few have had the time or
the inclination to mediate about their homes. But
all OF these boys have been separated from their
own people long enough to give them sincere
longing to visit again hometown and 10 see mother
Men of the army better able TO combat n
feeling OF homesickness than the 1ackics can be-
!
! from the Offices, from the cares of business from
colleges and from situations which have, In their
very nature, separated the men, more or less
from their family interests. Should this state
/ ment sound exaggerated and false let me amend
II somewhat The soldiers probably are more
accustomed TO absence from home than are the
sailor boys most of whom came directly from the
influence OF their mothers and who ar" al by
themselves for the first time in their careers, con
fronting some Of the bigger problems Of life.
! And so II is that this Thanksgivng the many
thousands of American boys who are lighting II
the first line OF defense are going TO experience
great mental awakening-a spiritual change
which might not have come TO them under norma
conditions until they much older in years
and experience. II will be perhaps their hrs
Thanksgiving day which they have actually
taken the time to mediate over the blessings fol
which they should give thanks.
The boys probably have not previously had oc
rasion To appreciate the home influence. The!
wil, rejoice in .he knowledge that the United
States now has navy which measures up to th'
Nr !p the world They will be glad because the!