Omaha daily bee., 1919-01-19
SOME ALSO SERVED WHO STAYED AT
HOME.

The boys who went across 10 victory
through the trenches are entitled to every
need Of glory that can be heaped on them.
They answered their country's calf and risked
their lives for freedoms sake. Their home
coming should be one glad acclaim and moth
ing should be too good for them
But while the boys back from overseas de-
serve the bouquets, let il not be overlooked
that some also served who staid at home The
fact that man who might have fought with
the rest had he had the chance, but did not,
should not subject him TO briekbats II his heart
was right and he helped in every way he was
permitted to help.
This is the thought that has been very
gracefully embodied in letter over his sigma
ture by General Leonard Wood, given to each
of the soldiers under him at Camp Funston on
his discharge to make him feel that his loyalty
was appreciated and that it was through no
fault of his that his regiment Jagged 'over
here" until after the conflict ."over there" had
stopped In this letter General Wood says:
l. In the performance of military duty to
ones country in time OF war, it is not for the
citizens called to the colors to select the kind
Of service to be done by him. One who has
willingly and loyalty responded to the call to
arms and who has put his best efforts, mental
and physical into the training, and per-
formed all military duties required of him
to the best Of his ability, standing ready
always to make the supreme sacrifice of life
itself, if need be, has done all that good
citizen and soldier could do to insure the
successful prosecution OF the war.
q Although / appreciate how keenly you
feel the disappointment of your failure to Sc
cure duty overseas in the actual battle area,
know you rejoice together with all Americans
in the prospect Of righteous and just peace
imposed upon the enemy and the termination
of the terrible conflict which has involved the
whole civilized world You have done your
best You have cheerfuliy and loyalty dis
charged the clear duty of every citizen in time
of war and your work has been part OF the
great national effort which has aided in Sc
curing a victorious peace.
s. You are discharged from the army be-
cause your services are no longer required
IN the present emergency, You will return
to your place in civil life all the better for the
training you have had, and feel sure you will
take with you better and higher apprecia-
ton of the obligations of citizenship, includ-
ing the obligation of every man to be trained,
prepared and read to render service to the
nation in war as we'll as in peace.
But military service was not the only service
required by the country for the war Every
fighter had to be backed up all along the line
had to be fed, clothed, armed, transported, en-
couraged financed, cared for in sickness and in
health and looked after in every relation of life
and death. The work at home may not have
been as exhausting Of as risky, but it was also
necessary and contributed directly to the VIC
torious result So, to quote Sergeant Empey
who speaks with the voice Of the man who
went over the top;
When the returned troops march proudly
up Fifth avenue, and it seems that our hearts
will burst with pride and Thanksgiving, don't
forget the man who didn't 60. IF you see
him standing, watching with frightened jaw
and perhaps a suspicion of moisture in his
eye, give him cheer even though it be mem
tai, for he is the silent hero and the band and
flags to him are sign of unfuihlled sacrifice