The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-12-04
Volunteers.

The announcement OF the state
treasurer that Vermont volunteers In
the army and navy would receive $40
a month state pay is an official recog-
milton of voluntary service that is
the least Vermont can do for her
sons who voluntarily enrolled them
selves in soao branch OF the federal
military service
IN the novelty OF the new c)nsclip
ton law. wlicn searched alike the
homes OF high and low, rich and
poor, some of us lost sight OF the
quiet chaps who had no official send
Off" who were given no banquet,
who were quietly entrained and as
sembled in their concentration camps
ana then with necessary secrecy,
modified with larger units ana, most
of them, hurried TO France.
We refer to the First Vermont. in
particular. as fine body Of men as
ever went under canvas or shoulder
ed Springfield True. some of them
are still on duty in this country, bur
all OF them are entitled to the high
est commentator and have already
been recognized az practical, trained
soldiers OF type and quality that
has won immediate praise and will
be recognized with the greatest of
all practical compiiments--active
service.
il Is natural that these men should
feel some little resentment at the ex-
trayagant praise showered on the
conscripts in the various concentra-
tration camps, but that praise and
that attention are natural, because
not only are the conscripts drawn
from wider circle of selection, but
they are close at hand and constant
ly in the public eye by virtue of their
situation.
Most of the First vermont-God
bless them and bring them safe
home are in France. They are
part and parcel OF the most stipend
Gus enterprise ever undertaken by
this nation or any other nation-mat
ing the world safe, not only for de.
mocracy. but safe for their mothers.
sisters, wives and sweethearts; safe
for the free travel of the seas; safe
for the free growth OF little nations !;
safe for humanity and safe against
the menace of the military monster
who threatens to crush every free
government.
Just as worthy. Just as loyal, just
as competent, just as brave and will
ing are those left in camp to take up
other duties and aid in preparing
other division for France. When the
call comes to take ship for that the
alter of titanic struggle and glorious
death or yiotory--they will be ready
any, they will be anxiously awaiting
that call, and when ii comes they
will not be found wanting.
All this applies to our Vermont
boys in training or in service with
the navy, with the aviation corps
with the ambulance service, with the
regular army details--all those in
fact, who stepped forward of their
own free will and set down their
names in the way their fathers did
Theirs is the honor of the volun-
teer, theirs IS the deathless reward
Of the men who voluntarily left
father, mother, home, family and
dearly loved friends and places, TO
give their best for their country
So while we honor and praise the
millions selected by their country 30
make up the far-fung lines that must
preserve our liberties and our flag,
let US not forget the men who stood
forward and gave their all freely and
without reservation, for home, for
God and native land Rutland Her
aid.