Smyrna times., 1945-04-26

York City, New York. The latest
change of address was included
with the Change of Address in last
weeks issue dated April 10, 1945.
Glad to hear from you, George.
And you did write just as you
promised you would when we had
our last talk together. Well, son,
you did fine to come North from
Camp Blanding with Expert
Marksman in both rifle and ma
chine gun. Some of these days,
your ability to handle these weap-
ons of war may come in mighty
handy. They may be the means
of not only saving your own life,
but the lives of a number of your
services buddies. At least, fate
has placed in your hands the
means of settling your score for
the death of your cousin. But
somehow, George, running through
my mind is the thought that set
tling a personal score is just not
the right angle to approach this
business of war and killing. And
please don't think I'm trying to
give a lecture on the subject
either.
Rather than make this war a
personal matter son, why not
place it on broader scope. Re-
member, I'm on record by saying
that you would make a good sold
ier. I really believe this, and I
trust that future events will prove
that 1 am right. Therefore, in
order to get right start, I would
like you to sell yourself on the
idea that you are one of many who
are out to make this world a safe
place in which to live. That in so
doing, you are following the exam
pie that many millions sof Amer
leans have done before you. This
all started back during the War of
1776 when the idea of a nation
having freedom was first conceiv-
ed. You know of this war as the
Revolutionary War, which really
started in ITS and lasted until
1881. In truth, this war was revo-
lutionary in more ways than one.
AT the time, peoples of European
countries thought our forefathers
bit touched in the head to advo-
cate freedom for the masses. 1t
had never been heard of before to
their knowledge. And few of them
believed that government of our
kind could exist in a world SO un-
like their own. However, the most
important factor is this country
did not only exist, but it has
grown into one of the greatest and
most powerful nations in this
world of to-day. And to a large
degree, our success has for its
corner stone the same principles
for which our forefathers origin
ally fought. The same is quite
true even to this day, only this
time we are out to make this
world safe for all others, including
ourselves. So when you start
spraying death from the barrel of
your rifle or machine gun, would
like you to feel that you are out
there to do your bit for millions of
other people back in your own
country, and all over the world for
that matter. Your cousin, Joseph
Faulkner's death has long since
been avenged by his own buddies,
meanwhile, you are needed to car
ry on until final victory over the
oppressor nations has been ac-
complished. Someday, when this
war is over, you will come back to
Smyrna. You will want to settle
down, raise your family, and make
a good citizen. When this day
comes, you will feel great load
off your mind if you can watch
your children grow up into man.
hood and womanhood without the
fear that one of these days still
war will take them from
you to be sacrificed on the field of
battle. Think it over George, and
after you have given it fair consid-
Grafton, drop me line an tell me
how far off the beam you feel I
am. Meanwhile, good luck and
good hunting, soldier. Chances are
you will have a go at both the
Germans and the Japs before re-
turning to the States. Be sure and
keep in touch with me.
To Mrs. Elmer Ross, Townsend,
Delaware. I wish to thank you
very much for sending in your hus-
bands change of address. 1t is
noted in this change that he is