Harvard Law School - Yearbook (Cambridge, MA)

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A MESSAGE TO THE STUDENTS Editor? Note: Early in 1941 the author: .rent copier of thi: letter to all rtitdentr. Believing the thoughts expressed therein are truly en- uoirraging to thore of 115 who will shortly he member: of the armed forces, and in rexpome to marry reqitertr from present aml part mem- herx of this school, we are happy to reprint it. May31,1941 To the Students of the Harvard Law School: Witluin a short time many of you will be called into the service of the United States. Some of you may be resentful, feeling that the personal sacrifice you are required to make is unnecessary. Some may feel that it is unfair to take from you one of your most valuable yearsg to impede your progress as you are nearing your goal and to waste the qualities with which you could do more service elsewhere. Some of you may feel that this has been forced upon you by men who, like ourselves, can not now serve in this way and who have magnified the dangers which surround us. Without seeking to justify to you any position that we may have taken as to national or international affairs, we venture to make these suggestions because of our interest in you as individuals - for most, if not all, of you are known personally to one or more of us. Whether or not the need of an army is great and whether or not the plans for it are wise or fair, the country is committed to such a policy. The success of this policy will depend in large measure upon the whole-hearted support of those who are in the service. You have been favored far above most of the younger generation. You have reached an intellectual level far above the averageg you have the mental equipment which is the only worthwhile capital for the troubled days that are aheadg you have been educated to advise and to lead others. You can build upon the misfortune which is preventing you from now acting as a lawyer or from continuing your law studies, by doing a splendid service to the country. You will find others in the army who have been pulled away from their homes, their friends and occupations, and who are unhappy and resentful. You will find men to whom the experience of camp life is one of bore- dom and discontent. It is in this environment that you can show the qualities of an 12

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Ensign JAMES GORDON WOODRUFF, U. S. S. Destroyer Hammann , cfo Postmaster, New York, N. Y. Not Photographed Ensign Sylvester Cunningham, Naval Training School, Boston Navy Yard. George Scott Cu ming, 1508 Cordova Ave., Lakewood, Ohio. Melville N. Collins, 2714 - 36th St., Washington, D. C. STANLEY E. ZIMMER- MAN, Naval Training School, Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. James C. Cooper, Jr., P.O. Drawer 21, Henderson, N. C. Stephen V. Lax, 6609 North 10th St., Oak Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. Cyrus R. Taylor, 160 E. Sidney Ave., Mt. Vernon, N. Y. Nole: Men lined ahrwe with their home addrers are thore who were recenlly inducted into the armed forces, and who were zmahle In give nr lheir army .rtaliom in time for puhlicaiion. 11

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educated mind as successfully as in legal practice. You can, if you will, become a force of great value to the nation. From your personal standpoint, it is very important that you give your best. First, if you determine to make the best of a series of uninviting tasks in an unwanted en- vironment you can become reasonably happy. You will End many problems which, while you may disagree with the army's way of meeting them, will be interesting. You will gain confidence in the army's ability to care for the physical condition of its men and you will acquire respect for the loyalty to duty of most of the regular army officers. Secondly, you will acquire a great deal of valuable experience in dealing with the cross section of young America. It will add to your armory of weapons in your profes- sion, for the ability to understand others is perhaps the most important mental attribute of a successful lawyer. And finally, if you put your back into the work cheerfully, it will give you a moral background that will stand you in great stead in the difficult days which we shall have to meet. Looking back, we cannot call our life in the army a waste of our time, but rather a distinct advantage for the days that followed. We confidently believe that army life will prove to be no waste of your time or effort. Furthermore, it will be no small satisfaction, as you travel through life, to carry with you the realization that you played a part in serving the nation in its hour of need. You have our affection and our confidence. We wish for you all those manifold benefits which come from a job well done. ,f. 26744. L .Tl... ...