TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MODERN NEWS AUGUST 3, 1917 P. 4
Corpus Christi, Tex. July 31,
Editor Modern News and Friends:
After reading the News this morning. I could not resist the temptation to write a few lines back to my old home and let my friends know that I am all right and that I am also doing my part, in this great crisis. I suppose that most of you already know that I have volunteered, in fact I believe that I have the distinction of being the first volunteer from Dear Old Poinsett, as I volunteered as soon as the call came out, not even waiting until the next day.
Oftimes the thought runs through my mind that I could have waited and enlisted on the last day, before conscription, but it is soon chased away by the fact that the training I have received is invaluable and the improvement in my physical self is nothing short of miraculous.
I never felt better in all of my life than at the present time, out door life is agreeing with me, and I sincerely hope that all the young men in Harrisburg, who are eligible shall give the out doors and the clean, wholesome food that Our Dear Old Uncle Samuel is providing for us, a chance to benefit them.
Now is the time to prove you are a man, a man in the patriotic sense as well as the physical sense. This is the time repeated, as in the days of the revolution, when we can truthfully say that “Men’s souls are tried.” Not only are their souls tried, but they are measured in the measure that determines whether they are men or cowards.
I sometimes wish that I could be at home again and see just just who have already responded to the call of the President, and those who for various reasons still remain at home. I honor and respect the boy that will stay at home and provide for his dependent mother, if he stays for that reason alone, not all of those who stay at home will be slackers, for some of the bravest men we have are the men that are compelled to remain, when they really desire to be in the thickest of the fray.
Just one word for patriotism. There is a mother in the State of Texas, who has eight sons and two daughters, “All Patriots.” The sons are in the service all ready and good soldiers they are too, and the daughters are both at the Base Hospital in San Antonio, trained nurses, already acccpeted by the Government. That mother writes to each one of them on an average of twice per week, and her letters overflow with patriotism, real American Patriotism, not that patriotism that our speakers tell you about with many fine phrases, and numerous gestures, but real patriotism direct from the heart.
I wonder how many mothers there are that can part with their loved ones with the same sense of honor and loyalty.
To the men I will say, Don’t Be A Slacker, do your part and begin now.” Every boy that I know, in the service, has left homes and loved ones and you can do the same. Don’t say that you can’t leave. because you can’t bear to separate from your people, but just think for one moment, If all men thought the same thing, America would have no army nor navy and we should be at the mercy of invaders, who would destroy all that is near and dear to us. Let us be men, let us show the same spirit of patriotism that our illustrious ancestors have shown, since the foundation of an English speaking colony upon these shores.
So let us in all the methods that we can prove to a doubting Emperial Empire that we can be men of thought, men of words, and men of action. I am trusing that you will.
My reasons for writing this is, the fact that I am not there to express it, I really think that I could tell you how I look at the matter , and how every red blooded American boy and man looks at the matter, far better than it is possible for me to write. But with earnest thought you will see, that you are not holding on to your Country, and you are not keeping the noblest of all heritage’s, (Love of Country), which has been handed down to you from your immortal ancestors, who died that you might live. And greater love hath no man, than he would lay down his life for his friend.
So start now to serve your Country, in the best and most useful way that you can, and even though you should be called to cross over the river and sit with those immortal heroes of History, under the shade of the trees, you will not have died in vain.
Now one thing more and I will close. To those of you who are not Christians, prepare thy heart heart and soul, so that if you are called, that you will rest with the assurance that you will be a chosen one of God, and that your faithfulness in a few things will cause you to become ruler of many things. And to those who are christians, you have never had a better opportunity to prove it than now. Don’t fail to see that all the boys that go had had the method of salvation thoroughly explained to them, so that if they fail to heed the Word, that God will not require their blood at your hand. God forbid that any christian slack in his duty to his God and to Him who died that we might live.
Let all pray that the boys may become true christians for even though they return to you safe and sound, the fact that they are Children of God, will cause you to see the more heroism in their character.
I sincerely hope that my friends will not misunderstand this letlet, but that it is a letter from a friend requesting them in the name of our Beloved America, to defend her, even with the last drop of your blood.
So with the best of wishes for a people that I love and with the sincere wish that every single man, women, boy and girl, will be willing to do their part. But let every one heed my word about our souls and the christian work, lest you forget.
Wishing that I could have the pleasure of shaking the hand of every person that reads this, and tell them in my own way what chances you are missing to do good, but this is when wishes don’t do a particle of good. So thanking every one who reads this humble message, and with prayers for every one who has or shall don the uniform, and sincerest hopes that we shall again meet, when Peace shall rule supreme, over this great globe of ours, and that we shall be able to truthfully say that we did our part.
With best wishes for the success of the Modern News and may it spread the message of sacrafice and patriotism where it will do good.
Your humble friend.
Frederick D. Grant
NOTES: Grant was from Harrisburg, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY ISAAC WOLTER AND KATHY GRIMM
Corpus Christi, Tex. July 31,
Editor Modern News and Friends:
After reading the News this morning. I could not resist the temptation to write a few lines back to my old home and let my friends know that I am all right and that I am also doing my part, in this great crisis. I suppose that most of you already know that I have volunteered, in fact I believe that I have the distinction of being the first volunteer from Dear Old Poinsett, as I volunteered as soon as the call came out, not even waiting until the next day.
Oftimes the thought runs through my mind that I could have waited and enlisted on the last day, before conscription, but it is soon chased away by the fact that the training I have received is invaluable and the improvement in my physical self is nothing short of miraculous.
I never felt better in all of my life than at the present time, out door life is agreeing with me, and I sincerely hope that all the young men in Harrisburg, who are eligible shall give the out doors and the clean, wholesome food that Our Dear Old Uncle Samuel is providing for us, a chance to benefit them.
Now is the time to prove you are a man, a man in the patriotic sense as well as the physical sense. This is the time repeated, as in the days of the revolution, when we can truthfully say that “Men’s souls are tried.” Not only are their souls tried, but they are measured in the measure that determines whether they are men or cowards.
I sometimes wish that I could be at home again and see just just who have already responded to the call of the President, and those who for various reasons still remain at home. I honor and respect the boy that will stay at home and provide for his dependent mother, if he stays for that reason alone, not all of those who stay at home will be slackers, for some of the bravest men we have are the men that are compelled to remain, when they really desire to be in the thickest of the fray.
Just one word for patriotism. There is a mother in the State of Texas, who has eight sons and two daughters, “All Patriots.” The sons are in the service all ready and good soldiers they are too, and the daughters are both at the Base Hospital in San Antonio, trained nurses, already acccpeted by the Government. That mother writes to each one of them on an average of twice per week, and her letters overflow with patriotism, real American Patriotism, not that patriotism that our speakers tell you about with many fine phrases, and numerous gestures, but real patriotism direct from the heart.
I wonder how many mothers there are that can part with their loved ones with the same sense of honor and loyalty.
To the men I will say, Don’t Be A Slacker, do your part and begin now.” Every boy that I know, in the service, has left homes and loved ones and you can do the same. Don’t say that you can’t leave. because you can’t bear to separate from your people, but just think for one moment, If all men thought the same thing, America would have no army nor navy and we should be at the mercy of invaders, who would destroy all that is near and dear to us. Let us be men, let us show the same spirit of patriotism that our illustrious ancestors have shown, since the foundation of an English speaking colony upon these shores.
So let us in all the methods that we can prove to a doubting Emperial Empire that we can be men of thought, men of words, and men of action. I am trusing that you will.
My reasons for writing this is, the fact that I am not there to express it, I really think that I could tell you how I look at the matter , and how every red blooded American boy and man looks at the matter, far better than it is possible for me to write. But with earnest thought you will see, that you are not holding on to your Country, and you are not keeping the noblest of all heritage’s, (Love of Country), which has been handed down to you from your immortal ancestors, who died that you might live. And greater love hath no man, than he would lay down his life for his friend.
So start now to serve your Country, in the best and most useful way that you can, and even though you should be called to cross over the river and sit with those immortal heroes of History, under the shade of the trees, you will not have died in vain.
Now one thing more and I will close. To those of you who are not Christians, prepare thy heart heart and soul, so that if you are called, that you will rest with the assurance that you will be a chosen one of God, and that your faithfulness in a few things will cause you to become ruler of many things. And to those who are christians, you have never had a better opportunity to prove it than now. Don’t fail to see that all the boys that go had had the method of salvation thoroughly explained to them, so that if they fail to heed the Word, that God will not require their blood at your hand. God forbid that any christian slack in his duty to his God and to Him who died that we might live.
Let all pray that the boys may become true christians for even though they return to you safe and sound, the fact that they are Children of God, will cause you to see the more heroism in their character.
I sincerely hope that my friends will not misunderstand this letlet, but that it is a letter from a friend requesting them in the name of our Beloved America, to defend her, even with the last drop of your blood.
So with the best of wishes for a people that I love and with the sincere wish that every single man, women, boy and girl, will be willing to do their part. But let every one heed my word about our souls and the christian work, lest you forget.
Wishing that I could have the pleasure of shaking the hand of every person that reads this, and tell them in my own way what chances you are missing to do good, but this is when wishes don’t do a particle of good. So thanking every one who reads this humble message, and with prayers for every one who has or shall don the uniform, and sincerest hopes that we shall again meet, when Peace shall rule supreme, over this great globe of ours, and that we shall be able to truthfully say that we did our part.
With best wishes for the success of the Modern News and may it spread the message of sacrafice and patriotism where it will do good.
Your humble friend.
Frederick D. Grant
NOTES: Grant was from Harrisburg, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY ISAAC WOLTER AND KATHY GRIMM
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