Smyrna times., 1943-12-30
DRIBBLES
Our Boys and Girls
in the Service
David C. Harrison Post, No. ID,
American Legion, and Unit of the
American Legion Auxiliary.
Mediterranean Area
Dear Dribbles
by

Dear Dribbles:
For long time now, the good
old Smyrna Times has been coming
to me and I've often planned to
write in to your column-finally
did get around to it at this odd
hour of the night as sit by a field
phone on duty as Anti-Air Craft
Liaison Officer with the Air Corps.
AT the moment, 1 feel I'm in the
lap of luxury for we have just been
served with sandwiches, cake and
really good coffee-the first gooo
coffee I've tasted in months. And
temporarily, at least, I'm living in
local residence where the mess is
excellent. However, this is not a
permanent assignment and my
quarters "at home" are in an old
---sa.sa4e+s -wfhich-.acts- as the head
quarters of our battery, of which I
am now executive officer. Our Bat
terry is the best in the Battalion
over here-naturally.
During the past six months I've
seen a lot of country I never saw
before, and I don't care if 1 never
see again. This is, however, my
third visit to the land in which
am now stationed The first time
was ten years ago when I came
over on a large luxury liner. Again
in 1887 I came here, landing in a
small Greek steamer from Alex
andria (via Athens). This time it
is very different. 1 have always
liked the people of this country and
it is quite sad to see what the re-
suits of the present war has been
ito them. hope that their suffer-
ing will not have been in vain, and
that out of this awful business, the
people will win a measure of free
dom and prosperity 1t is up to us,
the Americans, to see that they get
the opportunity to be free.
When the Boys come marching
home again they're going to have
a lot to do and say about things
they never thought or cared about
much before. We've seen and learn
ed a lot. Our horizons have been
widened, our understanding of the
problems that beset us, and the
rest of the world, has been increas-
ed The political force we will
represent after the war will be con-
siderable. The danger lies in this
force falling into the hands of po-
litical windbags who promise the
moon in order to further their own
ends, when they haven't the moon,
or even part of it to give. This
war has uncovered great men, and
will produce others. 1t is not only
the great leaders of the war, but
the under-leaders and the enlisted
men, who must become political
conscious and realize that their
duty to their Country does not
cease with peace. The workers and
the producers at home must also
take their politics seriously and
realize. too, that they must get out
and fight for the things we're all
fighting this war to prove.
I firmly believe that we will need
a leader of our Country to be of a
type that possesses liberal views,
with a brilliant mind that has a
grasp of world affairs, and can ap-
proach problems in direct man
ner. Naturally, he must be one OF
strength, with lot of vitality and
energy to carry his programs
through, once they are started.
My first taste of action was very
exciting. 1t had been storming
and raining so much that I thought
it was thunder when things first
started. However, the noise came
closer with alarming rapidity un.
It'll all - seemed to break loose
around us. The ferries were Out
conducting a bombing and strafing
raid. They came right over the
tree tops and were just what we've
been looking for these many