Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-06-30
TO The BOYS!
Welcome home, boysl

You offered yourselves Tor the supreme sacrifice; you did your
duty; you have finished the job and are now once more back in the
old home town.
No, not all of you are back. Some arc still on the other side
or in various camps too far away to get home for this festive oc-
easion, but they will be here sooner o later and the same enthu-
siasiic greeting awaits them.
But there are still Others who went proudly away to serve their
God and country who will never return.
They have "gone vest
Their glory will ever shine as the luster of the stars, a per-
petual reminder of the noble deeds and heroic sacrifices the young
manhood of America was called upon to make in order that the
world might be made safe for us, the living, to work out our destiny
in peace and contentment.
This is a glorious day, boys, and its glory shines all the brighter
because of the heroes from this very city whose resting place is
marked by those modest wooden crosses in France.
And so today a the city makes merry and rejoices over the re-
turn of her valiant boys she does not forget those who cannot be
here; they have honored themselves in a way that it is impossible
for us to add or detract.
But we are sure that could the boys who are absent today ex
press themselves their one wish would be that all honor and glory
be given to their comrades who took the same risks, suffered the
same h~ardships, but who were spared to return that the home folks
might, through them, show their appreciation and gratitude for the
service so nobfy rendered.
Every man in uniform stands in equal honor and esteem before
their fellow citizens today. 1t makes no difference whether there isl
a gold or a silver chevron ON the sleeve; that is something over
which no individual had no control.
Neither is there any discrimination for the boys who volun
teered and the boys who waited for the draft. When the govern
ment fixed on the draft as the method of securing an army to rep
resent this country on the battlefield it was altogether fitting and
proper that the regularly prescribed course should be pursued. The
draft was at once recognized as the one fair and democratic way OIL
turing zeal fighting force. Under the draft the rich mans son
shared equally with rthh-ttAe poor mans son; everyone took the same
chance and went to whatever place the authorities sent him.
Some were fortunate enough to go overseas; others were fa'eo
TO stay at home, but it was all in the same service and II any sur
fered more than others, it was probably the boys who found them
1900 r.. .~oJa+ol 0-+ fr frnrnt h caapa of
conflict, but where they served Uncle Sam as Loyalty and IS faith
fully S if they were in the front line trenches raiding machine gun
nests and withstanding the deadly gas attack.
And now the momentaous days r over, or nearly so. And
what days they were, too!
The memory of what happened in camp and on the batteflds
Of France are all yours, boys, but the memory of those days when
marched up Smith street or Market street to the train bound
for Camp Dix for training will never be forgotten by the people who
do YOU honor today. We can hear, as if it was but yesterday, the
cheers of the assembled crowd, the music, of the band, the factory
whistles, yes and the sobs of the loved ones left behind.
For you. boys, the stirring days that have interviewed, when you
have heard the bursting shells and the hum of the machine gun bull
let. have, in a sense, obiterated the scenes of your departure from
the old town, but while you were going through this ordeal We here
at home, ever mindful of the grand and glorious manner in which
you marched away, were concentrating every ounce of energy to-
ward giving you that support that we knew was so essential if you
were to realize your ambition and win the victory.
Yes, the old town, never faltered while her sons were away add
ing fresh laurels and winning additional fame. The demands seemed
almost too much at times, but inspired by your devotion to duty and
realizing the sacrifices that you were making, the home folks buck
led down to the task and saw to it that old Amboy went lover the
top with the same spirit and determination that they knew their
sons were going "over the top in the face Of Hun bullets.
And now we must leave it all to history. Our task is done as far
as this particular job is concerned. 1t has been done well and the
city turns out today in glad rejoicing at the sight of so many of
her boys who marched away into the great unknown, facing what
ever the future had in store for them in the true Perth Amboy spirit
The celebration has been planned for you, boys, as a fitting tesi
monial of the esteem in which you are held by your fellow towns
men, When your country called you never faltered- You did all
that was asked of N and n0w n have returuad tn take m fha
old life amid familiar surroundings, but with q satisfied conscience
and a broadened view on life that cannot help but be reflected in
The work you do hereafter.
The training you have received and the knowledge you have
gained will serve you well in your efforts on behalf of the city.
Perth Amboy greets yon today as her worthy sons. With pride
In your valor, admiration for your selfsaerifce and glory in your
aalia-a@a-+ paAlA i thzoEs uadaonan h~ ratas ad hdruaal