The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1918-05-31
COLONEL LUKE LEA

|n0SS66, tno commanding OliiccT vi INC
|114th Field Artillery, organized as the
First Tennessee Field Artillery, ID
now at a port of embarkation. He
Twill be in France with his men in
short time ready to 80 upon the firing
line and there make whatever sacri-
flee may be required Of him In civil
|ization's Armageddon. That he will
|acquit himself with honor and credit
Ito his uniform, his state and his ma
|tion no one who knows him will for
Ia moment question.
Luke Lea Is altogether the most
character In the state. He
lis today probably Tennessee's best
loved citizen-soldier. BY all who adj
|mire real manhood. by all who truly
Hove the unselfish, the noble and the
honorable in character, Luke Lea is
beloved. Only those who through
malice or spite or envy bear him
|grudge, will now withhold from him
1.-THE honor that he has won in making
THE supreme sacrifice. At times he
|has been heartily hated, because
wholly misunderstood, by large ele-
ment OF the states population. But
many OF his enemies have been q
distinct credit to him.
No man from Tennessee made a
greater sacrifice to enter the army
land place his life in peril than Col
Luke Lea. The head of a devoted
land interesting family, the owner OF
IA great and influential newspaper,
Holding with hoops of steel the friend
ship of many of the first men of the
state in every hamlet and county, the
|possessor of wealth, position and per-
feet health, years beyond the draft
|age, 1t required a measure of sacri-
flee upon the part OF Luke Lea to Of
FER his services to the nation on the
field of battle probably not made by
many others who have gone forth to
armed combat. But Col, Lea did not
hesitate. Probably the only former
member OF the senate Of the United
States to go to the blood soaked bat
Tie plains as q fighting man. Col Lea
took the position that his stake in
this war was just as great as that
|bf any other man in the nation and
MS duty to; country, to. humanity and
Naturalization must be placed above
HH other earthly considerations.
L SAs ia fsenator of the United States
Col. Lea long ago saw the gathering
storms OF war. He was from the be-
ginning of the struggle in Europe a
consistent supporter Of national hon
or and firm believer in the right
eousness of the cause for which our
heroic allies have given SO much in
blood and treasure. He realized from
the first that sooner or later America
must take her stand on the side of
honor, virtue and civilization. And
when war did come he promptly tend
cred his services to the nation
through the governor and was com
missioned as lieutenant colonel to
raise a regiment Of field artillery.
Due largely to his efforts and popular
lily the regiment was soon recruited
and when mustered into the service
on August had it's full war strength.
Although without previous military
experience Luke Lea, with that per-
sistence, tireless energy. unconquer-
able optimism that have been always
and ever his chief characteristics, ap-
piled himself diligently to the task
before him. So quickly did he learn
the lessons required that soon after
the regiment was mustered into the
federal service he was appointed col
onel by President Wilson. With his
own hands Brigadier General Galley.
Col. Lea's immediate superior, took
the Eagles that he had worn as
colonel for twenty years and pinned
them on the shoulders of the gallant
and chivalrous young Tennessean.
Ordered to the great school Of fire
and tactics at Fort Sill, Luke Lea after
10 strenuous course of three months
graduated with almost the highest
honors. only one or two in a large
class making higher grade than he
made. He is today one of the most
efficient. and assuredly one Of the
best loved field officers in branch
of the service that is highly technical.
Luke Lea made good because he has
the qualities that always bring sue
cess. Although born to affluence and
position. never in his life did Luke Lea
eat Of the bread of idleness. He has
been a powerful factor for good in
every contest in his state ever since
he reached voting age and so indel-
IDLY had he impressed himself upon
the people that ere he reached his
thirty second year he had become
senator of the United States. the
youngest Tennessesn VINO ever en-