Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-05-26
TOO GOOD FOR THE BOYS"

The carnival that was recently held in this
city has served at least one useful purpose. 1t
has attracted public attention to the American
Legion. This is an organization made up ex-
clusively of men who served the country in the
late World War. There are several organiza-
tions made up of war veterans but the Ameri-
can Legion is the only one that confines its
membership exclusively to those WHO fought
against Germany and Austria Hungary. just as
the Grand Army of the Republic is confined to
veterans of the Civil War.
The, World War ended only two and a half
yearA ago and the United States has not yet
concluded a peace with Germany, but already.
it/would seem, the stirring events of 1918
lave been largely forgotten. One week front this
coming Sunday. which will be the fifth day of
June. it will be exactly four years since the
young men of America were called upon to
register under the CONSUMPTION act placing all
between the ages Of twenty-one and thirty years
In the military service of the country. In Perth
Amboy there were 5,643 registrations. But
many had already gone away and volunteered.
Then followed the days of drawing the num-
Sbers to decide who should be the first to go, and
~ contingent after contingent marched away
great enthusiasm prevailed. The boys were es-
corted to the station where they boarded a special
train bound for Camp Dix. There were bands
and parades. cheers and good wishes; every
one was a hero and was made to feel that the
city was proud to number him among her sons.
Days Of training in camp followed and finally
came the secret departure for France. 1t was
= stirring time; patriotism ran rampant. The
city was bedecked with flags; the home folks
were organizing to back up the boys at the
'front.'" How familiar then was the expression
that nothing was too good for the boys" Were
they not offering their lives that democracy
might live?
And how fervent were the prayers that these
boys might return safely to their homes and
loved ones. OF course 1t was known that all
could not return. Grim war in all its realities
was then upon us. 1t meant sacrifice. suffer-
ing and death.
The war ended sooner than was anticipated,
hut NOT before the American boys, including
many Area our own city. experienced all the
H6ff6rsS Of the terrible conflict. They took their
turn in the front line trenches, often standing
IN water half way up to their knees. remaining
hours at q time constantly under IRE; they
were she'll shocked and gassed; they raided
machine gun nests and went over the top;'
they braSed the submarine infested seas and
GHdUIeO vi hluuS u uSihAPe ih
,rs'' cause.
they were shifted about herded like cattle
In freight cars; they were billeted IN parhs'
chicken coops and pig sites and they kne"
/what it was to be hungry and cold. on yes
they received a dollar a day for their services
bpt some of them never received even that
The point is, these boys were offering their all
for the flag and the principles that every Amer
lean holds dear.
Then, with the signing of the armistice they
began to return home. Some of them, OF course
could never return, but far more survived thah
was expected when they went across. Many
came back feeling fit and fine. But others
thousands of others-came back with arms
missing, legs missing, blinded or suffering from
other serious defects.
And the welcome that we prepared for them.