Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-04-02
SERVICE CHEVRONS
To the Editor of the Telegraph:
Barley au Plain. France.
1910

February 20, 1919.
Now that the war is over and SOL
diers from combat divisions get the
opportunity to read, learn and OBJ
serve what is going on back in the
States, is my reason for writing this
letter
A lot of so-called interested folks
are trying to abolish something in
which they should not be interested,
for who should be more interested
in what they wear than the man who
wears them? Namely. the Service
Chevron. 1t affords me lots of per-
sonal amusement and room for
thought.
In articles I have read numerous
accounts of people who besiege in
fluential persons of oug nation, to
abolish and avoid discrimination be-
tween the fighter and the noncom-
batant.
I know that all fathers, mothers,
wives, sisters and brothers of men
who have fought IN the war for hu-
manity are not the ones who be-
sieged these persons of influence.
most heartily criticize and de-
spise anyone who is so narrow
minded to make statement or try
through persons OF influence to
dlly IIllIlS 81 llslsllAlCdllJ Cto Il
service chevron.
My only reason for writing this
is a matter of principle. for was not
(before my entry into the service)
told personally by persons of high
character and by notable and hon
orable speakers who Grated on cor
ners in our town that there was n
difference, a discrimination between
but (not between the volunteer and
the draftee) the man who went to
fight and those who chose to stay at
home.
The man who chose to stay at
home has had the opportunity and
privilege to enjoy the comforts of
civilian life and everything that en-
braces civilian life. The man who
was not a pacifist forfeited all these
to fight until the fight for humanity
has become a victory" and turns
his head to note the changes of his
homeland.
Men whom I have been able to
Judge by being n sergeant in the
Volunteer Army of the United States
have vanity the same as other hu-
man beings. If he is a good fighter.
is there not discrimination between
he and poor fighter IL he belongs
to good division rather than one
that he considers not so good, there
is a difference and a marked differ
ence, by the insignia on his arm.
II he has seen service on the
lines" of the battlefield in which
Americas name is written in colors
that shall never fade, is there not
discrimination between that fighter
and the one in question?
I am proud of the Keystone that
WAR m NV arn1 FOR cd
one of Americas foremost divisions.
am proud of the service chevron
that I wear on my arm for that sig
nifies six months service in this
most honorable division, and I soon
hope to don another one. All Amer
leans and myself included. for I am
true American, am proud of the
khaki that her soldiers wear. And
why are they proud? It is because
there is a difference between them
and any other.
Are not men who fight entitled to
any discrimination?
In forfeiting one of the aforesaid
articles, namely, the service chevron
is it just not as reasonable to make
it plural?
More could e said upon this sub
ject but I am only supported in this
article by my own opinion. think
that every man in the A. e. r. has
an opinion and sometime hopes to
voice it.
I would like to inquire why the
soldiers of the A. E. +. are never
given an opportunity to say some-
thing on this matter before 1t is too
late. Are they not entitled to some
consideration?
Will close asking your reasonable
opinion and also that the readers of
this paper may know how a mem
Der of this division feels upon the
subject.
| SERGEANT HARRY c. SCOTT,
Co. A. 107 NJ. G. Ba.
2Sth Keystone Division.