Milford chronicle., 1925-08-14
SUSSEX GIRL WINS
LEGION FIRST PRIZE
Will Be A Contender AT Indian
apOIis For $3.50 National Prize
With Others.

organization OF veterans OF The
World War, dedicated itself, first o.
all, to uphold and defend the Constl-
tuition OF the United States Of Amer
lca?" nave been awarded to the fol
lowing: First prize, Anna G. ThOmp-
son, II, Laurel; second prize, Sarah
p. Crossan, 16, 917 Jackson street.
Wilmington, and third prize, Eliza
beth Cloud, IA, GOA Rodney street,
Wilmington.
Miss Thompson will receive a sill
yer medal for the state prize; Miss
Crossan a bronze medal; and Miss
Cloud a certificate of Merit issued
by National Headquarters of the Le-
gion.
The number of essays submitted
in New Castle county was 1913; in
Sussex county, l; and in Kent COun-
ty, none. OF this number, the best
two in New Castle were selected by
the county judges, and the State
judges, who were Albert Cummins,
editor of Morning News, John Shil-
ling, assistant in charge of high
schools, and DR.. Finley NJ. K. Fos-
I
in the University of Delaware, grad
ed the three papers, Miss Thomp-
sons being the only one from Sus-
sex county.
The contest closed on June 1.
These three essays will be forward
ed to the National Americanism Di-
rector of the American Legion at
Indianapolis not later than August
10, and few weeks later, the win
ners of the National Essay Contest
will be named. The National prizes,
for which the Delaware essays will
be in competition, will be $3.50, $500
and $3.50 respectively for first, Sec
Ond and third.
Miss Thompson's prize essay is as
follows:
''True patriotism shall ever guard
the public veal, and extinguish the
torch of discord. This is the undying |
determination of the American Le-
gion. 1t it, both as a unit and in |
dividually, striving to the utmost TO |
uphold and defend the Constitution |
of the United States Why has the
organization dedicated itself to such |
a tremendous task? The answer can
only be revealed by an acute knowl-
edge of the origin and purposes of
the Legion. When we learn those
two essentials, we are filled with a
great abundance of gratitude for
that splendid organization. Out of
the havoc of wars emerged an or
ganization composed of war veter-
ans, who themselves had participant
ed in the blOodiest battles, and who
witnessed the heroic bravery Of their
countrymen. Loyalty to the Consti-
tuition was evident. Our boys over
there knew for what they were fight
ing and fought to the last to protect
America, their country. Thousands
and thousands fell in Flanders
fields. We shall always remember
Colonel John Mac Rae's famous
poem "In Flanders Field" Colonel
Mac Rae now sleeps himself in the
land where the poppies grow. His
message rings true wherever men
pause in the routine of their lives to
regain a renewed spirit of consecra-
lion to country and homage they
give to the memory of men who died I
FOR country in all our wars. The
American Legion is stamping that
memory so that no trace can ever be
)bliterated. It was stated by one of I
he members eve have secured d
)eace for America. Shall there be no
for the little war or N
Dhans, and for the soldiers who are d
till lying MANNED and crippled in Il
,ur hospitals? Our first dutv :3 to
'rovide for these acG 10 slfJW them d
ur gratitude. To us, from failing
ands, they have thrown the torch. Ii
is ours to hold it high. We shall
eep the faith" +"
"Thus the Legion began its great II
ask "To uphold and defend the Con- D
titutiOn." They were aware that
eace and harmony can never be
Maintained without strict adherence
} the Constitution. Action followed
nowledge. For God and their coun-
y they associated themselves to- sc
ether to accomplish their purposes. he
hey pledged themselves to impress re
le obedience of law and order in to
le minds of the people. They start pa
| out Immediately to foster and az
erpetuate a one hundred per cent
Campaign after cam Gt
aign was begun. The last campaign pa
IS Just begun for the Endowment
md. The income from this will be CE
.dicated to the service of the Amer MI
an Legion in aid of our disabled
,mrades and to care Of the widows Su
Id orphans Of war. They have be- ch
IN to incucate a sense of individ- llV
i obligation to the community, 1ze
ate, and nation. They are rapidly
aking right the master of might. Sol
ley have pledged themselves to Wi
omote peace and good will on
rth. They are determined to safe ma
ard the principles Of justice, free las
m, and democracy. What nobler
,rk of comradeship, and what no. oa'
II devotion to mutual helpfulness, agi
4 be compared to that displayed MT
the American Legion? mel
Our desire that the America that
love may become better place pu'
live in and a stronger influence Ine
unselfish service to civilization N
/ the progress of the world, is enC
)idly materializing under the aus oIs
es of the American Legion. It anC
es that there may be demonstrat-
through it in peace the very spir- spe
which moved our people in war. It ds
l always advocate Americans in anO an!
ty and unity in Americans" iGln
I hereby pledge my word Of hon Ine
that have written this essay ~
self. I am II years old" Vlsi
ANNA G. THOMPSON. Iast