Niagara Falls High School - Niagarian Yearbook (Niagara Falls, NY)

Page 9 text:

THEME DEAR GSCAR, Although you are far away now, fighting in some foreign field, we know that once in a while during a quiet moment you think about your days in high school. They were carefree days. Yes, you did study, perhaps not as diligently as you could have, but you studied. What you learned then is paying dividends today. Probably what stands out most vividly in your mind concerning Niagara Falls High School are those school games, parties, and dances-especially that charming blue-eyed blonde who was your favorite date. She was the girl who sat next to you in roll call, wasn't she? You were the typical American youth in a typical American high school. Since 1942, you certainly have seen plenty of action, Oscar, -in the Solomons, in Guadalcanal, and New Guinea. Bursting shells, killing, seeing a buddy fall, the tenseness and excitement of the battle-all must be commonplace to you. These are cruel, bitter things, but you are experiencing them because you believe in finer, higher things. No doubt, you have been hardened physically, but we know that within you the soul of the sentimentalist and the boyish spirit of youth still dwell. It was in 1942 that you guided us through Niagara Falls High School. Now we would like to show you what has been going on in your Alma Mater since you left. Through our letters, we want to take you back to high school. Attention, Private Uscar. Forward, marchl

Page 8 text:

FOREWORD TWO years ago, Oscar was an ordinary high school senior just as you and I are today with a story to tell about his years at Niagara Falls High School. He told his tale in the '42 Niagarian. Do you remember? He was the funny chap, always in peculiar predicaments. But, Oscar has gone a long way since he left high school 3 he has met strange people and seen strange lands. Yes, Oscar's a private in the army now,-fighting to preserve the ideals of democracy, and the very life of our country. The time has come to recall Oscar, so that we may show him what we've been doing since he went away. We want him to renew old acquaintances, and, with pride, we desire to point out that the Niagara Falls High School is behind him one hundred per cent, and that its mighty heart is still ticking and going strong. - Thus, as a tribute to him and as a record of what we have done during our last year in high school, we are sending this book with its letters and pictures to Oscar, wherever he may be. We hope that it will arouse fond and pleasant memories, and that it will serve as a -bond of faith between us, and all the Oscars who have gone before us, for they are now struggling to make our world of tomorrow, a reality.

Page 10 text:

DEDIC 'rio THIS book is our salute to all the Oscars,-to all those who have left Niagara Falls High School to serve their country. Whether they be in the South Pacific, or in Australia,-in Hawaii, in Alaska, in the Aleutians, or in England,-in Italy, in Africa, in India, or in China,-our salute reaches each one of them. No honor is so well-earned, no recognition, better bestowed than that which we accord our boys, fighting far from home. Probably this is the first time in history that privates have been saluted, but we believe they deserve our salute. Proudly we stand at attention, for you- Private Oscars. To those who have already given their lives in the titanic struggle, may our tribute be placed as a wreath on their final resting-place. These Oscars have made the supreme sacrifice g they have died that we might live. Thankfully but sadly, we pay homage at their graves, as we bend our knees and bow our heads in silent, fervent prayer.