The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-25

fore from their soldier sons in the unit
in which Y 6 is located. 1t is even
Unpopular now for soldiers in this unit
to ask associates if they have written
letters to their mothers.
Ingbarracks 635, for example one
may Hear soldiers of the miscellaneous
quartermaster detachment asking dur
ing any evening:
'Thave already written a letter to
my mother this evening, have your"
Doubtless many mothers who have
4 be eff made happy by the increased
nurfs5er of cheerful messages from
theft sons in the army are wonder
IT. gyabout the gratifying frequency of
the5E correspondence! There is no
sccret as to the reason for this change
among the secretaries of Y 6, to
whom the increase in letter writing is
piaigtly apparent, or among the sol
1 dier8 of the camp quartermaster de-
tachrient.
lieutenant Rucker, executive Of
ficefo the camp quartermaster de-
! tacf3fnent, deserves credit for the more
4 fredtent letters to my mother, is the
explanation made by the soldiers.
The credit accorded Lieutenant
Rucker was earned with a sermon to
soldiers on Mothers day in Y 8. This
Y, which is in the heart of the unit
/ occupied pTlnClpdly ny IHciiOCAS u
the <duartermaSter detachment, was
filled with enlisted men on Mothers
daysS Lieutenant Rucker told them
facts. about the part their mothers are
taking in this war, about their obli-
CATIONS to their mothers and ABOUT
wha<sthey should write their parents.
He delivered his sermon in a manner
whfSh brought a permanent stimulus
to the writing of letters to mothers
THE inherent love for mothers
among the soldiers of the quartermas-
ter attachment was emphasized at the
estsng by the fact that the assembly
halE5of Y 6 proved too small to ac-
the brogram. An idea of the number
of Soldiers in attendance may be
gaifed from the reproduction of a
photograph of the audience which was
made at the conclusion of the meeting.
Your mothers are toiling for you
andsSfor our cause in their homes"
Liefxtenant Rucker told the soldiers.
SIT Is really more difficult for them
to STAY at home while you serve your
couf1try than it is for you to perform
the sduties of a soldier.
Your mothers suffered for you at
your-birth; they sacrifice to develop
yousinto good men. and now you owe
them. a better spirit than many SOL
diersa manifest. Your mothers are
anxious over your welfare. They have,
other war activities. all they can do
WITHOUT being burdened with needless
triffes Do not attempt to draw SYM
patty from them, but send them mes
sage$ of cheer. In doing this you will
contribute toward the cheerful feel
ing which should prevail in every
home in this crisis. and at the same
imeaindirectly strengthen the power
of he nation to win this war for de-
moefacy and for the sanctity of our
mothers.
IN fact, this is a war for mothers.
Tt ira war which will make homes
mon sacred. The struggle will bring
yolflfo a full realization of the ines
timable joys which radiate from a
hon1e presided over by good mother.
Do not forget your mother. but let her
hear often from you that she may be
strengthened and comforted and re-
walled for the sacrifices which she
hassznade and still wants to make in
your behalf"
Dfeutenant Rucker convinced all
who~heard him that the soldier who
fails to write frequently and cheer
f,'Ilx to his mother is a "thankless
child.s' And the soldiers who were
made to feel that their record in the
past might place them in that class