The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-19
"7hiS Is the Way / Figure It-Zf It Wasn't US
 It Would Ha1e Been Some Other GuyS"-Blind Soldier

ried just as soon as I get out of here just six weeks more. Then we're going home to Indiana
 "I'm going to raise chickens. It's sure going to be good to get back to Indiana. Gee, it's going to be good to get a peek at the Ohio river again. Uh"--- - then he remeni- bered with a start.
 But he smiled quickly. You know, I'm going to raise Rhode Island reds. Wonderful layers. Oh, I for got to tell you. That's what I'm studying here--poultry raising. I'm starting with a thousand chickens. figure I'm going to get along o. k. He sighed. Listening to his own voice, he repeated, T figure I'm go- ing to get on 0. k" It was obvious he had learned the power of auto suggestion. Convince the inner self and you've won the battle.
 And love being outdoors. You see, come from a farm. love the sky, and fields. You know, man." he stopped quickly once again, fac- ing the darkness of reality. But not 10 rlong. Promptly the full strength of spirit, strong and indomainable came to the fore. What mean to say is--the farm gives you sort of a coZy feeling inside--lIke you had roots" Have you noticed that?"
 Without awaiting for an answer he continued, And I ttlnx keeping busy keeps & person happy, don'i you2 Nothing like good hard work I always said. to keep a fellow con. tented and we'll" Again he was liS- tening to his own words. But say what about you2 I've been hoggin the whole show. Pretty selfish of me- What about your"
 Beyond All UnAerBta andinE
 We moved the pencilled jottings 2 little further away. Suddenly, the feeling came that they should never be used. The hopes and dreams and aspirations of this boy, Valiantly winning one of the greatest battles of life, seemed too sacred for print. Furthermore, the worlds greatest writer could not do him justice.
 The greatness and depth of his spirit could only be interpreted by one who had passed this way. Christ himself. Here was need calling on the inner power and It was being met. Though we had heard them multitudinous times, there came faint understanding of those iln- mortal words. He who loses his life shall find It." It was like 6 revela- ton of the Eternal. Here were the values that every soul loves, but rarely makes an effort to attain, or perfect or even understand.
 Faith instead of cyniciSnl, hope instead of Encouragement, love in- stead of vindictivenesS and hatred.
 He spoke for more than an hour. He was 24. He had loved to bowl, to dance, to swim, to 90 to the the- ater. His parents were counting the days to his arrival with his bride.
 Fate Decided It
 Only once did he refer to the catastrophe that had robbed him of his sight and the full joys of life. It occurred somewhere in Northern France. You could not permit your self to ask just where.
 You know mann, I really don't mind too much. I tell you how l figure 1t. Some of US had to come back this way. Fate decided 1t that way. If 1t wasn't us, 1t would have been some other guys. So we might as well make the best of 1t. Life is still full of good things" He repeat ed, T said life is still full of good things. It really is, don't you think?
 Not once did he mention the bru- tality of the enemy who had pur- posely planted the mine in the earth to kill or incapacitate.
 We strolled into the recreation room. Fragments of conversation gleaned here or there were not much different than those heard in can teens Boy, it's going to be great to get behind those jobs they're roll- ing oil the production line right now :" What do you mean I've got a line. I think you're the incest girl I've ever met. Nicer than the girls in Paris even. How's that .?" I'm dying to see my kid brother. Boy, can "e whack that ball."
 And here and there were smiling and willing Red Cross workers. sit- ting close to the khaki figures writing, reading, sewing on buttons, or patiently listening.
 It was obvious the boys regretted to part from their companionable visitors when 10 o'clock rolled around. A soldier with bandaged eyes and a pretty girl stood direct ly under the light at the door. Un- aware the more than a score of peo- pie were in the vicinity. he was asking the girl for a kiss. He stood with arms outstretched. groping for her here and there. She took a step forward. but suddenly remembering the presence of others. she merely shook his hand, and said softly Good night"
 Many miles were behind us before