Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-05-10

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OF MOTHERS DAY
THE day we call Mothers Day" is at hand again.
Since it was last observed the thing mothers
most dread has happened.
The country is at war, and millions of American
mothers are keeping poignant vigil for sons in the
conflict or preparing for it.
1t would be wonderful thing if our observance
lof Mothers Day could exclude this ominous back
ground, but of course that cannot be.
However, the very nature of the day suggests
the proper and helpful manner of its observance.
1t should be observed with understanding and
sympathy but without dwelling upon the pain and
uncertainties of separation.
1t should be as cheerful and happy as possible,
as brave and resolute possible, and reverent
and affectionate as those who are gone would have
lit be.
In this we could not have better example than
that afforded by mothers themselves
American mothers are not being morbid about
this war or self-centered in their own sacrifice.
THEY are giving more than their sons.
They are giving THEMSELVES in most mar
Vicious and amazing ways
If there ever was time when the mothers of a
country at war merely sat at home, abandoning
themselves to worry and grief this is not such a
time.
If there ever was time when war was not
woman's business, it is gone forever.
The women of America, and particularly the
mothers Of America, are serving and FIGHTING
lin this war, performing essential duties which fit
into the pattern of ultimate victory.
They are being true to very old American ira
dition.
Abraham Lincoln once attended ladies fair in
Washington and observed the variety of ways in
which the women of the country were contributing
Ito the relief and welfare of soldiers and their fam
lies and thus to the successful conduct of the long
and hard war in which the country was then in
volved, and was moved to say:
IF all that has been said by orators and poets
since the creation of the world in praise of
were applied to the women of America ii would
not do them justice for their conduct during the
war;
A ND what he said was true, and has always been
"A true Of American women in time Of national
danger, and was never more true than now.
American women, with the mothers among them
leading all the rest, being not merely brave, not
merely resigned to sacrifice but are setting exam
pies Of courage and devotion equal to that of the
men at the battle fronts and the production lines
If Mothers Day is to reflect the spirit Of Amer
lean womanhood and to honor it, the observance
must take account of the active and important par
Iticpation by women and mothers in the war effort
If this departs from former conceptions of
Mothers Day. which held it to be an occasion for
tenderness and sentiment, it is good departure.
Tenderness and sentiment still important,
more important now in fact than ever before be-
cause gestures of affection and remembrance are the
wine of life to the mothers of men in war as in peace
DUT when the women of great nation are taking
ID fighting part in war being fought for the
survival of that nation Of its heritage of justice and
freedom, they desire acknowledgment of that vital
part and respect for it.
So let us not spend this Mothers Day reminding
the women of America what they are giving up for
their country, but honorng them for the very good
and very great things they are doing for their
country
Let there be the usual tributes of love- and much
the family circle which remains intact in spite of the
to make up for those who are gone as best they
may.
Let us neglect none of the duties which are a
mothers right
But let us not forget that Americas mothers are