Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 April 1918 — CITES SOLDIERS’ PATRIOTISM. [ARTICLE]

CITES SOLDIERS’ PATRIOTISM.

Maj. Gen. Getty Points to Boys Who Subscribe for Liberty Bonds.

By BRIG. GEN. ROBERT N. GETTY,

[Commandant at Camp Dodge, lowa.] What does the real soldier of today think of the Liberty loan? Just as he thinks of every other measure adopted by his government to put a spoke in the wheels of the machine that will carry him to victory. His enthusiasm can be explained best by depicting the manner in which he offered his pay down to the last few pennies to his government when the last Liberty loan was launched. Many of the soldiers allotted so much of their pay that the war department found it necessary to authorize the discontinuance of some of these allotments that the soldier might have a small amount left for his personal use. Our American soldier is the personification of patriotism. He is a living example of what his brothers back home would do well to imitate if their loudly proclaimed desires to help the cause for humanity’s sake are sincere. He is giving up his family, his home interests, offering his life, and is now more than willing that his monthly pay should revert to the coffers of his country if it will materially assist in winning the war. He is giving his all, and willingly. He only asks for a chance to fight and that his brothers who cannot bear arms will stand back of him. I am proud of these men and the fervor and spirit they display. It will be a great honor when that day arrives to lead them into battle, knowing they who have given everything will fight to the last man. It is to be regretted that many a soldier before Induction into the service burdened himself with heavy financial obligations that his dependents might be provided for during his absence. I only wish that the small, abject faction of the civilian element that is bringing pressure to bear upon the already overburdened soldier and bis family because of these same obligations could but become imbued with some of the spirit of self-sacrifice and patriotism evinced by the men en the firing Un*. _ -