The Redwood gazette., 1918-01-30
THE REDWOOD GAZETTE, REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA

as important. Many cases Of sick
ness are due to discipline or lack OF
it. We are apt to judge our ailments
here in the army too frequently by
the standards. under which we lived
in civilian life. We came from COM
Portable homes; existence has been
one of comparative ease; all manners
of conveniences have contributed to
our contentment and comfort. For
any slight sickness we've he'd the
whole family fussing and giving heed
to every ailing whim. Now we've
been jolted loose from that sort of
an existence into an army which
and that requires a disciplined hard
ness of body, of mental attitude, of
spirit. Discipline as one of its re-
suits makes man forget every little
ailment that gets into hisF system; 1T
! keeps him away from the doctors and
gives him some pride in keeping his
name off the sick book. A disciplined
soldier, it is obvious can stand lot
of socalled hardships to which an ac-
customed civilian would succumb. It's
this difference in attitude that makes
civilian visitors to this camp rave
and howl at every dust furry, a few
cases of sickness and to the lack of
some facilities, which with time are
being improved.
The big trouble with too many men
in the army is that they haven't yet
let go of their civilian standards Of
living. There is too much complain
ing in letters sent to home folks, too
many rumors written, which exag-
gerate conditions here. And in re-
turn there is too much pity expressed
for that poor abused boy. Rumors
and complaints and their reactions
from home folks are damaging the
army, hurting our effectiveness in our
training work, and knocking our NOR
ale. Folks, we, civilians and soldiers,
must get together in this game. We've
got to rid ourselves of this softness
of flesh and fabbiness of spirit. For
the sake of the cause which has called
us into the war, cut out pity for your
soldiers. Cease "poor7 7boying" them
with lot of maudlin sympathy. 1t
cuts out the very nerve soldier
needs. Considering the job ahead
the inconvenience here will later
make this place a paradise in our
memory. For that job we must be
fitted. This problem of morale, of
battle discipline is thing of much
concern to our leaders here Every
effort is being put forth among the
men here to stop false rumors and
to cease foolish complaining. Help
us out. Give us all the possible en-
couragement and the chance to get
trained into a fitness we need to get
this job over with. And mind you,
we don't want to stop until it's fin
ished right. Let's play the game!
Extra Gossip. 1888
The following first class privates
have been appointed in L Company
the past week: Walter King, Fred
Millay, Albert Hawkins, Clarence
Peck, Maurice McQuillen, Percy Scott,
Ed. Gill. Clifford Varco, Martin Shane
and Tony Egnatuk. By the way the
latter is of Russian birth, in this
country about four years. His mother
and sister have been killed by invad-
ing Huns within the last year and his
home destroyed.
William Mccormick has been trans
ferred to the Supply Company of this
regiment. William Snyder has been
transferred to the 109th Engineers of
the Division. We have gained one
man by transfer (from a machine gun
battalion) who asked to be reduced
from sergeant to private in order to
have the transfer made.