The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-09-29
MOTHER WRlTES0N
TRAINING CAMP

The following letter, written by the
mother of one of the young men who
attended the Citizens Military Train
ing Camp of the First Corps Area,
held at Camp Devens, Mass, during
the month Of August, was originally
published in the Newton, Mass, Ora
phic which is published in the home
town of the Secretary of war. What
was done for this one boy has been
done for approximately 10000 other
boys throughout the United States in
the camps held in the different corps
areas. -.
The letter reads as follows:
"On the stage we sometimes see
transformation scenes, but none can
surpass what some visitors saw at
the Citizens Military Training Camp
at Camp Devens.
"After the four weeks training our
boy who went to the camp with rather
hazy ideas of what life is good for and
the effort that must be put forth IN
make it good for something, is home
again with ideas so clarified, with an
outlook so. far reaching as to almost
transform him into manhood.
"When in June he learned OF the
Training Camp he thought it might be
a good thing for other, boys, but
whether he wanted to enlist-well he
must think about it. To give month
to occupations in which ne had no spe-
cial interest did not appeal to him..
"He kept thinking about it and nm
ally decided to throw doubt to the
winds and had his name registered
the die was cast. All the rreliminar-
les complied with, his suit case in hand:
early Monday, August l, he appeared
on the ground with the other 12OO
"cits. Uniform donned, Company as
signed, chums chosen, the new life was
inaugurated. rsl
:. "What has happened? A training
in SO short time that it is almost
marvellous. STOPPING shoulders
Strengthened, a firm. alert, rapid mill
tary step in place of a slouching gait:
eyes bright and clear and wide open:
voice strong and resonant, in fact our
boy has command of himself: he has
emerged from state of indifference
and is ready, to turn his capacities to
the best account. ,,
sFor a review-We washed our
belts. nut on clean clothes, blocked
our hats. shined our shoes, cleaned our
rifles and changed our buttons. Moth
ing but perfection on these processes
will pass muster" Unwritten laws OF
good manners, consideration for 9TH
ers and good fellowship come from as
sciation with God fellows who want to
write them in their lives. The boys
were taught to observe carefully, to
be punctual, prompt, precise, exact IN
their work, to do their best every time.
tWhen these boys are ready for jobs
Mr.. Edison will find more than 81 out
Of 718 who will meet his requirements
and not refuse work because they will
get dirt on their hands. No better
school for atrophied brains than the
camp school. Where is the host who
will provide clothing for his guests
Uncle Sam has done it and has done
it generously. Khaki uniforms, army
shoes, shirts, leggings are on the list
Good beds and bedding and good
thins to eat. including a bountiful SUP
ply of pie, all kinds. dear to the stom-
achs of all New England boys and to
other stomachs too.
"An American boy in earnest with
full average mental equipment, good
digestion and yearly "set up" in such
camp cannot fail in decade to JOIN
the ranks of those citizens in every
community who are highly respected
and esteemed because Of their exam
pie and their interest in all movements
for the uplift of those they meet in
their daily walks.
Thanks, strong and long, for the
officers of the War Department who
have carried out SO thoroughly and
efficiently the plans for the training
camps through which our boys will be
better prepared for everything pro,
motin peace. Why should add war?
There will never be another if the pre-
dictions for the Lewisite gas are rea-
lized. A few tons of it are guaran--
teed to make this planet as bare as a
billiard ball"
Bees Eaten for Revenge.