The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-11-09

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AM
Shall it also be said of this generation that it
values lightly the sacrifices of its heroes?
Shall it also be said of us in disdain and with
reproach, by the veterans of this mighty army,
that their sacrifices were brought in vain? That
their mighty deeds of yesterday are forgotten in
the transient cares of today?
Armistice Day has a significant message for
the men and women of this generation. Thou
sands of the boys who entered the service in
physical health have returned shattered in body,
manned and disfigured; worthy recipients of the
tenderest care and the highest financial consid-
Grafton this nation can pay.
We sent them into the service with flags fly
ing, bands playing, and the thunder of well
fares drowned the cries of the mothers who saw
their most precious possession-for whom they
mad gone into the valley of the shadow of death
leave home to court the dangers of the battle
field and probable death.
Will an ungrateful public permit one moth
er's soul to be saddened with rancor today be-
cause her son must suffer deprivations, lack
bodily comforts, cry for medical attention, beg
for sufficient compensation to offset the loss in
Cured by physical disability which caused
in the valiant discharge of duty?
In the heart of many service man has stolen
the impression that the public already has for
gotten his sacrifice; and that our hearts, once
attuned to the highest pitch of patriotism, are
today unresponsive to his greatest needs.
Of what benefit will be joyous celebration
Of the anniversary of Armistice Day if the very
in whose honor it is conducted feel that their
sacrifices elicit no response that will alleviate
suffering and compensate for injuries?
Happily for Richmond service men, the Off
GERS of the American Legion posts have obtained
adequate provision for the care of the disabled
men whose plight has to their attention,
but they still find incapacitated men whose
postwar treatment does not square fully with
the dictates of justice and fair play.
Every man who fought for his country and
was disabled in its service is richly entitled to
the fullest compensation for his loss, and an
alert public should cooperate with the American
Legion and other agencies to the end that he
does not suffer and that his heart will rejoice
for the attention and of thankful republic.
Herein we may find rich field for the cult
walton of patriotism. Shouts and applause
are only empty manifestations of approval and
appreciation, if back of them are not warm hearts
that hear the cry of distress and active hands
that are willing to give relief.
Wayne county's quota of soldiers, sailors and
marines maintained the fighting tradition of our
community. They were cited on the field of bat
tie; they were promoted to high office; nowhere
and at no time did son of this county turn his
back to the foe one and ALL private and officer,
they merited the appreciation of their command
ing officers and won the esteem of their COM
rades in arms.
We pay homage to the men who laid down
their lives the altar of patriotic service; we
pay tribute to the men who are still with us.
Unto us is given the duty of nursing the dis
abled and wounded, of alternating their suffer
ing, of easing their pain, of surrounding them
With comforts and conveniences.
! Unto us is given the glorious task Of handing
down to posterity the story of their achieve
ments, unsullied and unimpared, and of enshrin-
ing in our own hearts the record of their sacri-
fees in behalf and for the cause of humanity