Northwestern State University - Potpourri Yearbook (Natchitoches, LA)

Page 13 text:

iln fHrmonj— (Hmttuutrfc Yr OLDIFRS of Normal, who gave their lives so graciously, whether in active £S|£ ' battle, in training camps, in the air, on board ship, or where not, the stu- dents, faculty, alumni, board of administrators, and all other friends of the Louisiana State Normal School, pay to them this simple little tribute ol great love and highest respect. On account of war and post-war conditions the plans for this Annual were not for- mulated until very late in this school year, hence our not being able to procure the exact data and pictures of these beloved dead, as we so desired, but the likeness of the excellent soldier, Gordon Peters — so young in years, yet so brave in spirit — which prefaces this In Memonam, is symbolic of all our Normal boys and men, who in the very burst of youth and vigor, died that others might have more and better life, and That the govern- ment of the people, for the people, by the people, should not perish from the earth. How or where or when our brave Normal soldiers died matters not. Whether they sleep on the shores of Sunny France or under bright Italian skies, or in our own dear Ameiican soil where their last resting places are tenderly cared for, their spirits still live, and will never cease to live, not only in the hearts and minds of those nearest and dearest by ties of blood and school associations, but in a newer and finer body of citizens through- cut an international world whose ideal is that of the grand American Republic and thesL e-pecial loved ones — The Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God. (9)

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3fn Jflmorg How sleep ihe brave, who sink to rest By all their country ' s wishes blest! When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deck their hallowed mould. She there shall dress a sweeter sod Than Fancy ' s feet have ever trod. By fairy hands their knell is rung; By forms unseen their dirge is sung; There Honour comes, a pilgrim grey. To bless the turf that wraps their clay, And Freedom shall awhile repair To dwell a weeping hermit, there! (8)

Page 14 text:

The First Gold Star HE first Louisiana man to die in service was a noble representative of the same Alma Mater we all cherish and love. Louis M. Griffin was with the very first volunteers for service, leaving Normal Hill for that purpose a few days after America entered the war. It was always his desire to do his part for mankind, and when the call came for men, he quickly and gladly responded to go and make the supreme sacrifice. It was while on duty at Jackson Barracks that this strong, upright soldier went to reap the reward of one who had done his duty. And on that quiet spring day, as our flag at half mast solemnly floated about, we paid our tribute to one who gave his all for his school, his country and his God. He did his part as nobly and as fully as those who saw service overseas and died in the midst of the cannon ' s roar. He was the first of our boys who entered the service to leave us, and now, two years afterwards, our tears fall as they did when he heard the sad news, but with Louis, we know, All is well. Died In the Service (Incomplete) Adams, Milton Second Lieutenant BabIN, S. P Navy Brown, Ellis Tank Corps Carter, Hardy Machine Gun Co. Gibbs, John Griffin, Louis M Died in New Orleans MlLTON, Allen Second Lieutenant, Died in France Peters, Gordon Infantry Richardson, J. J Marine Service Trichel, Albert Died in Camp (10)