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History of the |
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CHAPTER THIRTEEN |
(142) When the call came in 1917 fifty thousand of Nebraska's sons laid aside their civic duties and went forth to camp and battlefield to give as fate might decree that civilization should not be destroyed. In this great cataclysm, which raged from 1914 to 1918, ten millions of lives were lost and billions of dollars of wealth destroyed. States and empires were demolished and crumbled into decay. Aged concepts of government underwent a complete change and many of them were thrown aside. The entire world trembled and human society was profoundly touched. It was the most stupendous drama of all the ages.
To have taken part in the struggle that turned the tide of events and again brought peace to the world is a distinction of which any American citizen should be proud. To have served in such a cause should be a heritage that posterity will receive with gratitude. It must be the final verdict of history that the World War was more productive of good or evil than any other period of time. It will be either the world's greatest massacre or the world's greatest crusade. Which it shall be, massacre or crusade, must be determined by the good or the evil that comes out of that struggle. And the amount of good or evil that comes out will depend mostly upon the men who fought and survived.
(143) The sons of Nebraska who have laid aside the uniform and the implements of war to take up their civic duties again, must not and cannot forget this titanic struggle. "To them, from failing hands, has been thrown the torch." It must be their duty to carry on and rebuild civilization, now that the destroyers have been put asunder. They must see that good comes out of the world's greatest war and that ten millions of lives were not lost in vain.
There is no better way for these survivors of the War to carry on than through the American Legion. For God and Country and Humanity they have associated themselves together. For God and country and humanity they must serve. Never, perhaps, in the history of the world, has there been a greater opportunity to serve. The nations of the globe are faced with perplexing problems. The several peoples are staggering under burdens they scarce can carry. Class hatred has arisen and threatens the solidarity of empires both democratic and autocratic. Great groups of humanity have been caught up in a mad scramble or wealth and power. Apparently, the world is drifting for want of strong arms to guide the ships of State through troubled waters. The cry of the hour is for leaders--men who are strong, virile, honest and courageous; men who have vision and high and noble ideals; men who are chartable and peace-loving; men who know the cost of war and desire to bring good rather than evil out of the great struggle.
(144) The American Legion has a splendid field of activity before it. It can not only play a conspicuous part in the future history of America, but it can play an important part in the history of the world. Its accomplishments will be measured only by its aspirations. If the organization does not swerve from its high ideals and worthy purposes, it cannot help but succeed in doing great things.
There is no organization in America that has the unique position of the Legion. In its membership is no East nor West, no North nor South; no Jew nor Gentile, no Protestant nor Catholic; no Capital nor Labor, no Employer nor Employee. It is all of these combined. It is the nearest approach to organized public opinion. Being made up of every part of American society, the Legion will speak public opinion so long as it is fair to every element in its organization and always considers well their needs and the needs of its country.
When Marshall Foch, of France, visited the United States he sent the following farewell message to the American Legion.
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"Comrades of the American Legion: |
"With deep regret I bid you good-bye. For almost seven weeks the Legion has entertained me marvelously in your splendid country. My experience here leads to two thoughts.
"When first I met you and came to admire you as fighters, cheerful, subject to discipline under your splendid leader, General Pershing, the days were dark indeed. Yet you smiled then as you (145) fought, and your cheerfulness and bravery helped much to bring us victory and peace.
"When next I met you, it was in your country. The alarms of war were over. You were engaged actively in those pursuits of peace which are so essential to happiness and prosperity--hard work. I have come to love all Americans for their spirit of diligence, for their generous--heartedness. France and the United States are indeed close together, as they have always been.
"These two thoughts--of the American abroad at war, of the American at home and at peace lead to only one conclusion, that the Americans are young, sturdy, honorable, God-fearing, full of faith and hope; that they are to be admired, respected and trusted by all peoples everywhere.
"And of what type is the representative American of today? The type you find in the American Legion. He is the man who sacrificed all to fight for his flag and world freedom. He is the man who now will see to it that we have "peace on earth, good will toward men."
"We in France are doing our share to keep
ourselves worthy of the victory we have won. We know you are doing yours.
"Long live the American people!
"Long live the American Legion!"
Every World War veteran should become a member of the American Legion and take part in its activities. It is only by doing so that he will be
(146) able to help carry on the great tasks before the of organization, and the only way he will be able to adequately express himself.
As it has been written, "there shines the emblem of the American Legion. It is your badge of distinction and honor. It stands for God and Country, and the highest rights of man. This little emblem consists of several parts and each part has a meaning. The rays of the sun, that form the background, stand for the principles of Justice, Freedom and Democracy, disspelling the darkness of violence, strife and evil. The two gold rings around the field of blue, bearing the name of the organization, and the two bronze rings around the wreath, typify its major Allies. The wreath itself is for remembrance. Upon it is set a star reflecting the glory of those who died that liberty might live. That emblem demands that the wearer will ever guard the sanctity of home, free institutions and country. In the emblem of the American Legion there is a great prophecy. It is the promise of the defenders of the Republic bespeaking the fullest good for each in the betterment of all."
There is much for the American Legion to accomplish in Nebraska. It has started well, but there is still much to be done. In every community throughout the state there must stand the Local Post of the American Legion, respected by all citizens, admired by those citizens of tomorrow. It must ever be watchful for the welfare of its community, state and nation, and ever (147) teach intelligent, constructive patriotism. It must see that the ideals, institutions and traditions of America are ever held dear by all people, and that future generations have the privilege of enjoying our free government. It must ever stand firmly for one country, one flag and one language; it must strive to keep the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
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