Natick High School - Sassamon Yearbook (Natick, MA)

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THE SASSAMGN 17 AWAKENED AMERICA HE bombs that fell at Pearl Harbor transformed America from a placid, peace- loving nation to one seething for vengeance. Before this fatal day, war seemed far removed from our land. The depression years were behind us and the discussions of the day dealt with the Lease Lend Bill and just how much aid we should send to the battered, bleeding countries who cried out for help, and looked hopefully toward us. America, safely surrounded by the boundless oceans, supplied by endless re- sources, fortified by its millions of trained workers, suddenly was shocked from its complacency to find that instead of having an abundance it was sadly lacking in the materials of war. Yankee ingenuity, and the pioneer spirit once more came to life. So that it might be preseved for a later day, the American way of life had to be changed. America, the arsenal of democracy, was willing to endure a form of dictatorship so that it might more quickly rid herself of the unspeakable horror of war. Ahead were demands for labor that could never be entirely satishedg men and more men to recruit and train. The words unnecessary and impossible had to be burned away. The industrial leaders proved no task too great to ask of them or their workers. The last ounce of surplus must be used, if need be, to do the things our enemies cannot match. Home, school, church, public and private institutions, management and labor. professional and non-professional organizations contributed their efforts with a will. Never will we be able to obliterate from our minds and hearts the memory of the wrongs perpetrated on those lands, continually harassed and attacked, to satiate the unsurpassing greed of the enemy. The plundered and ravaged islands of the Pacific have harvested a bumper crop of burning wrath in the hearts of Americans which even final victory will never quenchl No price is too high to pay for freedom! Like the Americans of old, we mutually pledged to each other, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor to preserve the liberty bequeathed to us. A portion of Lincoln's renowned address seems particularly apt today. Now we are engaged in a great war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so con- ceived and so dedicated can long endure. From all America assenting voices ring loud and clear!

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lo 'VHESASSANION took an attitude of isolation, that is, Let happen what may over there, as long as our country basks in prosperity. Therefore this nation failed to capitalize on that golden opportunity. Thus without our cooperation it was practically impossible for the League of Nations to function. Peace fell by the wayside, and finally a quater of a century later, we find ourselves engaged in the greatest war which mankind has ever known. XVe are reaping the hitter fruit of our own folly and our lack of vision. Great is the price to be paid by United Nations for blunders of yesteryear. However, despite the tragic events of the past, a second chance awaits us. It is the same opportunity which beckoned to us years ago. This time, the knowledge gained through our errors, will enable us to build a sound peace. After the conclusion of hostilities, we face an inevitable period of social and economic chaos which stands in the path of peace. Likewise, there confronts us the gigantic task of relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation, throughout the war torn world. lt is following this work that the terms of a just, an honest and a durable peace may begin to function. This peace must mean a better standard of living for the common man, not only in the United Nations, but as well in Germany, Italy and japan. lr must mean the establishment of international trade and international eco- nomic relations, on 31 joint basis of treatment and benefit. The principles of the At- lantic Charter, mainly establishing freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear everywhere on this globe, should be guaranteed. The treaty, as was the case after the last war, must be built on the fundamental doc- trine of peoples' rights. The task will not be an easy one, for it will tax to the utmost the collective will, intelligence and courage of all the allies. Unity must be our watchword. Yes, there is a long road to traverse but we may take comfort from a passage of the Bible quoted by our Vice-President: On the side of the people is the Lord. He Giveth power to the faintg to them that have no might, He increaseth strength . . .H They that wait upon the Lord shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint. Strong in the strength of the Lord, we who fight in the peoples' cause will not stop until that cause is won. Ll.-XROLD ORRIN Roses

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I3 THICSASSANION Nothing is important to us now but victory! 'lille only decision to make about anything is, lVill it help to win the war? The war is everything, nothing else counts! Churchill, lCngland's great leader said, Victory at all costs-in spite of all terror, victory howeyer hard and long the road may be, for without victory, there is no survival. XVe salute the sterling courage, and unfaltt-ring endurance of those beleaguered nations that, plundered and ravaged, so valiantly have endured hardship and suffering that beggar our imagination. lVe will strive to emulate the will to fight and Work with all possible strength toward one ccmmon aim so that we shall emerge from the struggle truly l'nited Nations. After twenty years and two wars we are back where we were before VVilson's proposed military alliance. lfach generation has always found need to defend its heritage, every battle fought had to be fought anew. 'lio avoid this disastrous con- tingency our aim is to win a peace that will be maintained. The heads of governments are already tentatively outlining toward this goal. An alliance of all nations would be formed toward a common good. The technique of the plan must be capable of application irrespective of the type or principle of government of the member states. lnternational trade laws would be drawn and an international stabilization fund established. This will be the supreme task confronting statesmen for many years to come. There will be many divergent interests among the l'nited Nations, and some enduring structure must be built from chaos, or even the most optimistic will suffer the same disillusionment that followed the last war. But visions alone will not win a war, nor dreams defeat the enemy. YVe must, if need be, use the last of our strength and resources to crush the devastating monster that assails us. There is just one task for each and every one of us-to win the war quickly and decisively. XVe know that when peace comes. a new and better world will be born. Let us always pray that with it may come a deeper understanding of our fellow man, a friendly relationship cemented by the people, and for the people, so that wars shall cease to exist. and the peace won shall be everlasting. Iiricaxok joan: BUCKLEY