Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1951-06-08
Col. Webb Probes
Rich Historical
Lore Of This Area

Delvlng into the rich historical
lore Of Port Clinton's part in the
wars of the United States, Col.
E. M. Webb, commander at E. o. d.
in recent paper he prepared,
produced a review that should be
of interest to every student of
modern history.
His paper follows:
Port Clinton contributed its
quota of men for the union army
of the Civil War. And Johnson's
Island, just short distance from
here, was selected by our Gov.
crnment as the site for the lar
gest place of detention for con-
federate officers. Ten thousand
we're confined here during those
sad days.
World War | was felt keenly.
Fifteen of the men who left for
the battlefront of France, gave
their lives in that conflict, while
those home built naval craft and
worked at the newly established
Erie Proving Ground.
Port Clinton again gave its full
measure in answer to the call to
the colors during the recent war
II furnished many of the 2,700
men going into the service from
the county. 152 of these men did
not come home.
! know | need not recall the
glory and the sadness of sc" Co..
which fought so CALAMITY against
hopeless odds in Bataan, of the
horrible Death March" from
which only of the 40 men Of
this company survive.
Here at home the local indus
tries and the Proving Ground
again Joined in the fight and con-
tributed to the final victory.
Now, just a few years later, we
again find ourselves faced with
conflict, hoping and praying for
a final and lasting peace in the
world, and again Port Clinton has
sent its sons to the colors. They
have fought we'll and three have
made the supreme sacrifice. Our
industries, the Proving Ground.
and all of the community have
accepted this new challenge.
In view of this record of our
nations struggles, and the way
this community has reflected this
glorious past, we might do we'll
to question ourselves whether a
perfunctory attendance at to-
days ceremonies is a sufficient
tribute to these war heroes.
President Lincoln answered
this question for us when he said
ut is rather for us to be here
dedicated to the great task re.
naming before U.S." Let us here
and now accept his plea and
make this day of resolution.
Let us, therefore, re-evaluate
our lives. Let us realm our
sights, let us prove ourselves
worthy of those dead. Our job
as trustees of a grand heritage
is to merit this heritage by pro-
tecting it and to build upon it
for our children. This task can
not be assigned to any one per-
son. 1t is yours, and mine, it is
ours together and cannot be es-
capped by one of us without in.
jury to all.
Family Basic Social Unit
History shows that the family
is the basic unit of all successful
society, it is the fundamental
building stone of a strong nation.
No Government has ever found a
real substitute for this group. 1t
is here that the child learns the
meaning of life, his position in the
world, what he may expect of life,
and most important, his reSpon-
sibilitieS. Here is generated pride
of accomplishment, LOYALTY, for
play and decency. The family is
home base for the child, place
to turn for advice and for help to
be strengthened in his determine
ton to go forward when others
would lead him astray.
Then, religion, our nation was
founded by religious people of
many faiths. AS a result of this
excellent founding, the country
has proSpered well with religious
tolerance for all. 1t has prospercd
because basic religious principles
are sound, from them we learn
to respect ourselves and those
with whom we are associated. Re-
ligion gives us the moral strength
to see and recognize the right and
the strength to do what is right.
Without it the road leads to an
archy or the police state. Thus
we find religion a prime target of
those who would weaken us. 1t is
time to renew our faith and
strengthen our churches tha,
they may help us grow strong.
Education. Great Resource
Educatlon,our greatest resource
is found i'll our children, it is they
who must assume the responsible
ties for the nation in the near flu
ture The sound family unit,