The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-01-09
Two DAYS after the undertaken

Two days after the undertaken
squad carried me 10 The operating
room or pictures" as We called them
because of the funny fins ~ sec un-
der ether. and the operation WIS per
formed II was d wonderful piece OF
surgery and marvellous success.
From now on that doctor can haY, my
shirt.
More than once some poor soldier
has been brought into the ward in a
dying condition. resulting from loss Of
blood and exhaustion caused by his
long journey from the trenches After
an examination the doctor announces
that the only thing that will save him
Is TRANSMISSION Of blood. Where il
the blood to come fromi H. does not
have 10 wait long for an answer-scy.
eral Tommles Immediately volunteer
their blood for their mate. Three or
four are accepted; blood test Is
made, and next day the TRANSMISSION
takes place and there is another pale
face In the ward
Whenever bone Is needed for some
special operation. there are always
men willing TO give some-a leg II
necessary to save some mangled mate
from being crippled for life. More
than one man will go through life with
another mans blood running through
his veins. or piece Of his rib or his
shinbone In his own anatomy. Some
times he never even knows the name OF
his benefactor.
The spirit of sacrifice is wonderful.
For all the suffering caused this war
Is blessing to England-it has made
new men of her sons has welded all
classes into one glorious whole.
And | cant help saying that the doc
tors, sisters and nurses in the English
hospitals. are angels on earth. | love
them all and can never repay the care
and Kindness shown TO Inc. For the
rest of my life the Red Cross will be
to me the symbol of Faith. Hope and
Charity.
After four months in the hospital,
went before an examining board and
was discharged from the service Of his
Britannia majesty as physically unfit
for further war service"
After my discharge | engaged pass
age on the American liner Sea York.
and after stormy trip across the At
lantic one momentous day, in the haze
OF early dawn, | saw the statue of lib.
erty looming over the port rail and |
wondered If ever again ! would 20
over the top with the hest Of luck
and give them hell"
And even then, though il NAV seem
strange, | Was really sorry not to be
back in the trenches with my mates.
War is not pink tea. but n u worth
while cause like ours. mud. rats. COO
ties, shells, wounds or death itself, are
far outweighed by the deep sense If
satisfaction felt 10y he man Who does
his bit.
There is one thing which my ex-
perience taught me that might help the
boy who aay have to go. II is this
anticipation is far worse than realiza-
ton. lii civil HE man stands in awe
of The man above him. wonders how he
could ever fill his job. When the time
comes he rises 10 the occasion, Is up
and at it, and is surprised TO find how !
much more easily than he anticipated |
he fills his responsibilities. 1t Is really |
so "out there
He has nerve for the hardships; the
interest of the work grips him ; he ands |
relief in the fun and comradeship of |
the trenches and wins that best sort Of |
happiness lat comes with duty well |
done.
THE END.