The Springdale news., 1918-09-20
Springdale. Ark, Sept. 20, 1918.
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THREE STARS.

mere are how three stars on the service flag in the old home the home where the boys were born, where they toddled around as infants, and where they grew to manhood Guy, Fay and Raymond-they are all gone. Guy is lover there Fay Is n Camp Wheeler, Georgia, or was the last heard from him, and Ray niond, who left Tuesday evening, is speeding on his way to the Naval training camp at San Diego Calf, Their country called, and like the Prophet of old, the answer of each was. Here am |, send me-
 As l write this, which is tribute to them from their Dad and from the newspaper on which they have all sats.u service, 1t is difficult to think of them ess men who have gone out into . world unkno%n to them to fight in the cause of humanity It seems sach short time ago that l heard their shouts of laughter as they romp- cd through their home, bubbling over With their fun and frolc There WAS some impatience at times at the nolse they made as they raced through the houss, db stairs and down again. but | now appreciate that no sweet
 
 The boys room up stairs IS vacant noW-all is quiet and still--it has no tenant. l stole up there today, and in fancy l could imagine the room looking at me with questioning gaze as if to say, Where are they? ?" l saw their wearing apparel which has been discarded for the khaki of the Army and the blue Of the Navy That they will wear these with honor to themselves and to their country hope and believe As l looked about me at the personal belongings of the boys there was a tugging at the heart, which l doubt not has been felt by thousands of others throughout this land as some loved one has left the sheltering home to take up the stern est task that can fall to the lot of man Along with this feeling came one of subdued joy-joy that my boys, flesh of my flesh and blood of my blood were to have part in settling the des- tinies of nations--that they were car rying their name and my name to the farflung battle front where the mighty struggle for the rights and liberties of generations yet unborn is in prog ress anr that they are doing IL gladly and with singing hearts. Why should l not be filled with joy and pride?
 We'll meaning friends have come to me with expressions of sympathy that my boys had 10 go' As matter of fact none of them had to 20. The way was open by which all of them might have remained al home with no discredit to themselves in the eyes of the law. but they would not have 1t so, and l honor them for their decision. That none were willing to accept the means at hand to escape military service Is to their everlasting credit To have done so would have shaken their self-respect and my re spect for them Neither did they seek, through supposedly influential friends or otherwise, places of pre- ferment, but have taken .pot-luek' along with the thousands of other young Americans just as patriotic as they
 It is the man who has no boy play ing part in the greatest drama ever staged by human hands who is de. serving of sympathy
 My boys may not win renown on the battlefield; the cable may not bring back the message of some heroic deed performd. but they have shown desire to do what they can They  have offered their all: no one can do mere. l want them to know, whether in camp or trench. afieId or afloat, that yhe home fire will be kept burn ing and that am with them in thought, hoping and praying for their safety and success. to the end that there my be a glorious nome-cominq when it is over lover there"
 eur son and my son
 Have fallen into line,
 And marched away to fight today For your flag and mine.
 Your lad and my lad
 They'll gladly risk their all,
 For your sake and my sake
 And bravely stand or fall.
 Your gift-and my gift
 fo God and Native Land,
 So you're proud and I'm proud
 They've joined the loyal band"
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