Classical High School - Classic Myths Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 17 text:

Bvhiratinn nt' fllilrmnrial Efahlet lmpressive and significant exercises were held in the Assembly Hall on December 22, l920, preliminary to the dedication of the memorial tablet- which tells the silent story of the sacrifice of the ten, stalwart, former Classical students and which will serve for ages to perpetuate the nobility of their sac- rifice and to inspire the youths of succeeding generations. The eloquent addresses of Principal Chester T. Porter and Dr. Samuel B. Woodward, President of the Alumni Association, the appreciative charac- terization of the ten heroes, the sacred vocal and instrumental selections aroused the student body to a realization of the privilege which had been con- ferred upon it in being allowed to participate in a memorial so solemn and in- spirational. Following these exercises, the school adjourned to the main corridor, where the memorial was presented to the school in behalf of the Alumni by Dr. Samuel B. Woodward. The memorial is a bas-relief in bronze of a graceful female figure clad in flowing Grecian draperies and wearing on her counten- ance an expression of sweet resignation wholly in keeping with the sentiment inscribed on the tablet borne above, UAmor Caritas flaove and Affectionj. The bronze is the work of St. Caudens, the greatest American sculptor, whose name is one of the five inscribed this year in the Hall of Fame. The names of the ten heroes are simply inscribed at the base of the memorial.

Page 16 text:

MEMORIAL STATUE

Page 18 text:

ADDYPBER nf Idnzinripal Olhwtvr CE. Iinrtvr Dr. Woodward, Parents, Alumni, Ladies and Gentlemen :- Nearly two years ago, at the close of the World Conflict, we gathered in this hall to honor the service and the sacrifice of those who went out to do battle for their country. To-day we have come to formally and concretely express our affection and everlasting admiration for them, and to symbolize in perpetuity their deeds. We felt then that in due time some permanent memorial should stand in this building, bearing the names of those who had been struck down in the time of their great service. To-day, through the generosity of the Alumni of the school, that memorial has been placed, as beautiful in its way as was the singular beauty of the gift of our heroes to us. It stands the symbol of the eternal victory which they won in laying down their lives. We think here to-day not in terms of world politics or of international leagues. Vve recall, rather, the early months of the war, the endless waiting while Europe was torn by the ruthless hand of avarice, and we stood supinely by, unarmed and dishonored. These boys, like the whole youth of the land, were ready for the summons to arms long before the summons came. They were not neutral in l9l4, nor in l9l5, nor ever when autocracy opposed legitimate freedom, when injustice threatened liberty. And at last, when America, shocked by the dastardly attack on Belgium, by the hideous warfare in Flanders, abashed by repeated insult and outrage to our national rights and national pride, threw aside the veil which thinly covered intense eagerness for service, and gave the word, these boys sprang to answer the long delayed call. There was Carver, the hearty, the whole-souled, ready for any duty, and seeking the full responsibility of citizenship at any cost. There was Courtney, the quiet, the unflinching, ruthless foe of disease-in war camps, himself beaten while fighting for the health of others, a needless and bitter sacrifice to our unprepared- ness. There was Migauckas, genial and unassuming, measuring up to the full stature of a man, in war as in peace. There was Wyman, quiet, well poised, re- served, and of heroic soul. There was Donnelly, dashing. gallant, dauntless- athlete, soldier, magnetic leaderg and Frostholm, sturdy, energetic, and ambitiousg and Louis Heal, he who was marked by simplicity, modesty, and absolute reliability, a real man indeedg and then Willard Moran, the diffident, retiring pupil, a good fellow among his pals, a boy, but yet a soldierg and lastly, those two peculiarly ro- mantic and tragic figures, Hobbs and McGourtyg the big-hearted, sweet-spirited