Evening star., 1942-02-01
Boy Training Inspiration Singing National Cathedral Choir
Just
Between
Ourselves
BY PHILIP H. LOVE-
Junior Star Editor.

What does 1t mean to be Q good
American?
The question is asked-and an
swered, too-in four interesting let
ters that have come TO me recently |
from pupils at Truesdell School.
Jean Galloway, Helen Summers,
Gloria Edmiston and Catherine
Eagleston, all about II, are the
writer's. Jean, who lives at SALT
Illinois avenue NV, begins:
II haven't travelled in a far-on
land. I do not have q collection
of interesting things. I have no
talent for writing stories and poems.
and I cannot draw pictures. But
I can tell you about the closest
thing to my heart-my country.
What it means to be a good
her letter continues, "is
q question which every child can
answer in his own small way, We
have a great fighting force which
will defend our homes and loved
ones. We are not out to kill and
destroy, as are the tyrants OF
Europe and Asia; we are fighting
to keep our democracy good and
strong, and to make 1t better, If
possible. We shall not try to con-
quer smaller or weaker countries.
but will protect them as mother
protects her children. Democratic
nations all over the world are fight
ing q grim battle; but, with strong
will and a great cause, they-or,
rather, we-will win.
ITO know these facts, to feel
them deep in your heart, gives you
the right to say, I am q good
American.
Every good American Jean goes
on, will do everything possible to
help the United States and its Allies
to win the war. I'VE children can't
Join the Army" she points out, "and
we can't sign up with the Civilian
Defense Corps. But, we can save
our pennies and nickels to buy
Defense stamps and bonds. We can
keep cool in case Of an air raid and
try to comfort smaller children. We
can grow up to be fine Americans
who will preserve the glorious free
doms which our forefathers gave
us. The phrase, a good American,
stands for bravery, fairness and
kindness. In the future, today's
children will be strong men and
women who will have right to say,
7 am a good American"
Helen, whose home is at 5229 Sew
enth street NV, takes a somewhat
difIerent-but none the less inter-
esting-slant.
when I think of all the hard
ships that people of other nations
are suffering" she writes, Il am
glad that there is a United States
and that I am fortunate enough to
live in it and to enjoy its many
blessings"
One of the greatest of these bless
ings, Helen explains, is the Bill OF
Rights, comprising the first 10
amendments to the Constitution.
This immortal document is the basic
safeguard of all our freedoms and,
as she puts it, has lots to do with
our daily life" She concludes:
1--WE of the United States have
one-half Of the worlds telephones,
two-thirds of its automobiles and
trucks, and one-third Of its railways.
We should consider ourselves lucky
to have these things. That Is why 1
am buying all the Defense stamps
and bonds that I can. Our fore
fathers fought for liberty, and 1t Is
up to us to keep it."
+
Gloria agrees with Jean and Helen
that I'VE should buy Defense stamps
and bonds, all that we are able to
buy. When you and I buy these
stamps and bonds" she adds, I'VE
are really buying tanks, planes and
guns for the defense OF America"
Girls and boys also are urged by
Gloria, who lives at SLIT Georgia
avenue NV, to save "old newspa-
pers, magazines, cardboard and any
other material that can be used for
defense purposes"
"Becuse we Americans are free"
she concludes, I'VE are able to wor-
ship, speak and do as we wish. We
are able to attend free schools to
obtain better educations. We must
stand by our President and do our
part to save our country and our
homes. This is what it means to be
q good American
Catherine, whose home Is at 646
Hamilton street NV, defines a good
American as one who can govern
himself by the Bill Of Rights" She
goes on to explain the various free
doms guaranteed by the first 10
amendments to the Constitution.
Penelope Mizales, IL, Of 2027 Port
ner place NV, a st. Paul's Acad-
emy pupil, reports that she has in
vested her recent prize dollar IN
Defense stamps.
my father liked the idea Of my
buying Defense stamps" she writes.
He said that whenever I win a dol
lar in The Junior Star and spend 1t
on Defense stamps, ,hell double the
amount. He has already done so
with the money I just won, so that
now have 50 in Defense stamps in
stead of ST.. BY next year I hope
to have saved enough stamps to buy
q bond.