Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1918 — “IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTY" [ARTICLE]

“IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTY"

'How many homes in this country have already become sadly familiar with this phrase? it seems to be hurled at them in a coll and unfeeling manner by the military authorities. It is the set phrase used in announcing the death, on the field of battle, of a brave American boy*who has sailed three thousand miles a.t the call of ‘'duty.’’ ‘‘Your son /died in the performance of his. duty,” ' Mothers, fathers, do you get only sorrow from the (message? Do you not rather gather the sadly sweet conviction that all is well with the brave soul who saw his duty and went bravely to meet it —-played the MAX to the end of the glorious, if. brief chapter? . And what shall we say of ourselves; we who were not called to go “over there,’’ yet were called to an equally honored task here at home? Have we not “died”—but LIVED “in the performance of duty?’’ The boy gave all he had—his life. He gave it like the hero

that he was. Are We giving LIFE?’ Think soberly for a moment. What does it mean to give life for country? It doesn't mean a dolla. or two to the Red Cross and an auto for daughter. It doesn’t mean five dollars to,the Y. M. C. A. and a seal-skin coat or a diamond.for mother. It doesn't mean a fifty dollar Liberty bond, while we buy another farm. What DOES it mean? Think! “He DIED in the performance of duty.’’