East High School - Birch Log Yearbook (Duluth, MN)

Page 15 text:

To the Student Body: These are challenging times. They call for national unity. We have achieved that unity in a greater degree than ever before in our history. The thing that has brought us together, the thing that ties all Ameri- cans, regardless of race, creed or color is our love for liberty and our desire to preserve the constitutional representative form of democracy which guarantees freedom and equality of opportunity for every citizen of this country. More important to us as a nation than building bombers and destroyers is the VICE-PRINCIPAL BROADLICK strengthening of the spiritual and intellec- tual life of this nation. The dictators' conquests have been made easier because they have destroyed the spiritual and in- tellectual life of the conquered nations before moving in with their armed hordes. Americanism is not on trial, but it is passing through a crisis and appears des- tined to pass through even greater crises in the days ahead. Every true American will do well to consider what American democracy has to offer in contrast to European dictatorships. It is our responsibility to keep de- mocracy alive in our hearts and minds. It is our responsibility to see that we and our associates are tolerant, free in spirit and humane, and that their love of de- mocracy is burning with an inextinguish- able flame. If we can do this, we can be assured that our future victory will bring something more than survival and secu- rity. Then we can hope that such a victory will earn the deep gratitude of posterity, and will be recorded in history as a forward step in the progress of mankind. Yours truly, JOHN N. BROADLICK , l'i:,,,b W Q43 f11f

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To the Graduating Class of 1942: This opportunity to wish you well gives me special pleasure, because you and I entered East High School together four years ago. Little did we realize then that before you had graduated we would be actively involved in a world war, fighting to preserve the freedom which our fore- fathers gave their lives to secure. Our na- tion has been viciously attacked, thousands of our citizens have been killed or wound- ed, and the very existence of our country is at stake. Although we are lovers of peace, this invasion of all we hold dear is a challenge which we know we cannot fail to meet. Your graduation is one of the most im- portant milestones in your life, even more so, now that we are at war. Each of you is asking, Wl1at am I going to do next ? Your whole future depends largely upon your present answer to this question. Some of you will go at once into indus- try, either directly connected with the war or into industries necessary to maintain life at home. Some will go into some branch of military service. Perhaps, some of you will be called upon to make the supreme sacrifice. To all of you who are going to do all you can in the immediate defense of our country we feel deep grati- tude. Many of you will decide you can serve your nation best by continuing your educa- tion. This is largely a war of science and machines, and it cannot be won without an army of highly trained people. If you have the aptitude and the desire to secure training beyond the high school, I believe it is your duty to do so if possible. It is also necessary to look to a future beyond the war. Thousands of men, including many who would have been our future ilu PRINCIPAL LAUGHLIN business men, doctors, ministers, teachers, engineers, and statesmen will be killed in action. Perhaps your greatest service will be to prepare yourselves to take their places, for we must win the peace as well as the war. Whatexfer you do, I hope you will con- tribute splendidly to a glorious victory. Ahead of us are trials, discouragements, and grief, but we dare not falter. Withfnut a high morale the people perish. You have been fine to work with these four years that we have been together. I hope you will deserve and receive the best. Sincerely, J. L. LAUGHLIN

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