TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MENA WEEKLY STAR MAY 9, 1918 P. 3
Dear Sis:
Your letter came today. I just wish I could get a picture showing Earl’s mental condition. I dare say it would give an impression of turblent strength, rivaling the Atlantic, off the New England coast in its fiercest periods. If medals for spirit were given, his would resemble an ancient Roman shield.
About all the confabs now are of conditions “over there.” It is hell, but yet one can’t help but know it is a wonderful life and, if the supreme sacrifice is required, a glorious death. There’s never been a time in history that one could face dangers with a more enthusiastic gladness than now. One can think for a moment of devastated Belgium, Northern France laid waste, her people ravaged, and the indignities and insults heaped upon every other civilized nation, and if he has as much as a drop of humanity in his being it will cause him to cast aside every thought of comfort and the ties of home, making his sole ambition the conquering of the Huns.
Humanity might well take the place of religion. Each person in the allied nations should pledge his every effort to this cause. Here is a system that I use that is very satisfying. I don’t know how to be religious, and that brought about a lot of thinking of why I live and quite often a “whats-the-use” feeling would almost ruin me. So I thought of this. I give myself to Uncle Sam in very much the way a person offers his life for religioous service. I have taken as the leading thought in my creed “Temperance in All Things,” so that my body may give every possible atom of strength to the development of efficiency. I don’t ask of my Master a great name or an eternity of joy, but am content to work and feel that I am doing well the small tasks given one
The doctrine is better fitted to one in our National Army. He is given a life almost Christlike. He was prepared for this with a childhood of freedom, a period of youth with opportunities to attain knowledge and enjoy it, a young manhood to develop and strengthen him. Then came the call to service and sacrifice. It is known.
All paths that are or shall be.
Lead, sometime, thru Gethsemene.”
So the lads leaving home for the trenches are passing through this “Garden of suffering.” But isn’t it worthwhile? They can look beyond to a world freed from tyranny, a brotherhood of governments and the good fellowship of individuals. And if death comes, wouldn’t the last moment’s realization that it was for Humanity bring a glorious happiness? And wouldn’t every moment of torture be as an angelis harp blending in a great melody of celestial beauty?
I am truly glad to live at this time. It is so very good to live for the Allies, Uncle Sam and you.
Trocia Goddard.
NOTES: Trocia Moses Goddard was born in Hackett, Arkansas on September 19, 1891 and died on March 12, 1956. He is buried in the Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas sailor serving in the Navy during World War I. He was writing to his sister Eva Goddard in Mena.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Dear Sis:
Your letter came today. I just wish I could get a picture showing Earl’s mental condition. I dare say it would give an impression of turblent strength, rivaling the Atlantic, off the New England coast in its fiercest periods. If medals for spirit were given, his would resemble an ancient Roman shield.
About all the confabs now are of conditions “over there.” It is hell, but yet one can’t help but know it is a wonderful life and, if the supreme sacrifice is required, a glorious death. There’s never been a time in history that one could face dangers with a more enthusiastic gladness than now. One can think for a moment of devastated Belgium, Northern France laid waste, her people ravaged, and the indignities and insults heaped upon every other civilized nation, and if he has as much as a drop of humanity in his being it will cause him to cast aside every thought of comfort and the ties of home, making his sole ambition the conquering of the Huns.
Humanity might well take the place of religion. Each person in the allied nations should pledge his every effort to this cause. Here is a system that I use that is very satisfying. I don’t know how to be religious, and that brought about a lot of thinking of why I live and quite often a “whats-the-use” feeling would almost ruin me. So I thought of this. I give myself to Uncle Sam in very much the way a person offers his life for religioous service. I have taken as the leading thought in my creed “Temperance in All Things,” so that my body may give every possible atom of strength to the development of efficiency. I don’t ask of my Master a great name or an eternity of joy, but am content to work and feel that I am doing well the small tasks given one
The doctrine is better fitted to one in our National Army. He is given a life almost Christlike. He was prepared for this with a childhood of freedom, a period of youth with opportunities to attain knowledge and enjoy it, a young manhood to develop and strengthen him. Then came the call to service and sacrifice. It is known.
All paths that are or shall be.
Lead, sometime, thru Gethsemene.”
So the lads leaving home for the trenches are passing through this “Garden of suffering.” But isn’t it worthwhile? They can look beyond to a world freed from tyranny, a brotherhood of governments and the good fellowship of individuals. And if death comes, wouldn’t the last moment’s realization that it was for Humanity bring a glorious happiness? And wouldn’t every moment of torture be as an angelis harp blending in a great melody of celestial beauty?
I am truly glad to live at this time. It is so very good to live for the Allies, Uncle Sam and you.
Trocia Goddard.
NOTES: Trocia Moses Goddard was born in Hackett, Arkansas on September 19, 1891 and died on March 12, 1956. He is buried in the Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas sailor serving in the Navy during World War I. He was writing to his sister Eva Goddard in Mena.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON