Loyola University Maryland - Evergreen / Green and Gray Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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18 LIEUTENANT HANLON’S CLASS, FOURTH YEAR HICH SCHOOL 1908 Two are priests, two Jesuit scholastics ami five entered the Army. Seated — ' m. Boggs, Joseph Hanlon, Rev. August Fremgen, S.J., Andrew Hofmann, Fred Rose. .Standing — Vm. Bowes, John Bowens, Arthur Lyness, Fred Linthicum, Louis Wheeler, Casimir Los inski, James Russell.

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That tale of the picture is amusing. (This is an allusion to an error in last year’s Annual, in which, under the picture of Lieutenant Hanlon, appeared the name of his brother, Mr. Edward K. Hanlon, ’09.) I do not mind going as “Ed”; indeed it is one ot my names in a great many places, and all of my friends will know my face anyway. Just now I am anxious to sec the book and hoi)C to get one through soon. Letter- writing in a dugout is not so easy, so this is a short one. Yill write soon again. Best wishes to all, and good luck to yourself. Joe. Dear Father — Sooner than I expected, a good time to write has come my way. Ye were told to be up at six today and off for a new place. Instead, the orders were changed during the night and I was told to stay in bed. I enjoyed three more good horrrs of sleep and now the time is all my own as the platoon is free for the day. I do hope to see you in France as a chaplain, and I ho])e to have you with us. ’ ith this in mind I will write to the chaplain of our regiment to see what he can do. He is an Episcopalian and a “good scout.” Just the other day he said he thought we were due for a second chap- lain and asked me to help in the selection. If he takes me seriously and the Army takes him seriously we will land you and that would tickle me to death. We are a much separated unit and so it will take a couple of days to reach him. I had heard about Jerry Joyce and his getting a provisional lieu- tenancy in the Regular Army. It means nothing to me as I want to see this thing out so that I can get out. In war times we all have to fight; in peace times I would rather work as a civilian than loaf as an army man. The army pay for loafing is not enough to tempt me either. I believe the Maryland boys are nearby just now and I’m going to look them up if I get a good chance. More rumors are afloat that we quit the road-work tonight and then we may move most any place. The final destination is always a big guess with us. Loyola’s record is great and it is true all through the service that the educated boys go to the top. In our own outfit promotions and reductions are gradually putting the college men up, and tlie best part of it all is that everyone in the ranks is able to appreciate their wortl quite as much as the officers do. Of course it is not an infallible rule We have some poets and scientific dreamers who never will climb. It makes me glad to hear that the German in America is fast falling. I think I am “off them” for lif e. I see their prisoners and their destruc- tive work, and I am not only down on the nation hut on the individual. In one house a queer feeling surged over me to see a crucifix turned 17

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with the figure to the wall. Then too, paintings are slashed, persona ' i belongings torn to shreds, mirrors broken, ete. The damage of tin Hun lads equals the wreckage of a shell — all the direct mean intent is in the former. 1 never expect to like a Boehe or help a Boche after this exiicrience, and I feel that my friends must be tlie same way or I will lose them. Personally I have looted to the extent of taking two jiraycr-hooks and two rosaries from the ruins; also a crueitix with tlie words ' ’Tn Hoc Signo Vinces”; that is about my neck. 1 have the addresses of all the people from whom these came, and in time I wif write them. They were taken by an American officer at the time the first American troops entered the cit} , just eight or nine hours after the Boche evacuated. The French had gone through a couple of liours Ijefore, but we ourselves took down barricades and opened the roads just last Monday. And even then some old civilians were to be seen, just returned, I believe, and with all lost. Still the sight of the Yanks brought joy to their eyes and smiles to their lips. The French are wonderful. I had heard about John Ganster. Yes, Father, it is regrettable, and I hope it will be the last. But we must learn that the cost is to he great. We come across the bodies of the dead on the field and the Boehe arouses only curiosity. Tlie French and English we handle as part of the day’s work. The Yankee stuns us; the boys hate to see a dead American and hate comes easilj ; but they will see to it that that body is buried and the grave marked. We all dislike to care for the bodies of the Boche and only sanitary precautions will lead us to place the enemy below the ground. Away back home these feelings are not easily appreciated, but over here we all realize the thing that is going on, and we all act the same way, prompted by the same impulses and by the same motives. There is a philosophy of war. It means in essence: “Beat the eneni} ; protect your own.” He does not play the game squarely and we are going to meet him on his own terms. Well, Father, keep me posted. You tell me stuff that I can get nowhere else. Best of luck. Jqe TRIBUTES TO THE MEMORY OE LIEUTENANT HANLON. From the Protestant Chaptain of the Regiment, James Thayer Addison. Dear Father Fte ming our letter reached me yesterdav and 1 am glad ot the chance to tell you all I know about Joe Hanlon. 1 was not with liis comi)any when he was killed, hut 1 heard the storv from several who were. 19