Northwestern State University - Potpourri Yearbook (Natchitoches, LA)

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)

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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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v . „ f ■ jtfMkX - Li «. Rogers The Normal Boys ' Response to the Call to the Colors When the call to the colors resounded through our country, that so awakened that never-dying patriotism embedded in the heart and nerve and sinew of the sons of America, a direct strain of the heroic music stirred the hearts of those who were drinking at wisdom ' s fountain — Normal. The fact that civilization was at stake and service was needed, was the inspiration that caused every interest of self to be discarded. The question was never asked, Are you going into the service? The common question was, In what branch of the service are you going to enlist? Not only was there a unanimous response by those sons of Normal then in attend- ance, but all those who in past years learned the lessons of justice and righteousness at the feet of our Alma Mater were endowed with this same patriotic spirit. 1 he spirit of ' 1 7 is unsurpassed by any other in history. For a typical picture of this spirit just cast your eyes on Normal in the spring of 1917, then in the fall of 1918. In the spring of 1917 there were more than a hundred boys in attendance — a fine hardy group, living in peace and dreaming of the future when they should be directing the foot- steps of the youth of the state. When the long contest of right against might closed in the fall of 1918 there was not a boy of military age in school. All who were able to bear arms had gone to do and to die for the eternal right. While our service flag is fortunate in bearing only a few gold stars it is because destiny assigned only these to the honor. Now that the long and bloody contest is over, and peace re:gns supreme, may there be one sentiment for the soldiers living and dead, Cheers for the living and tears for the Marvin T. Green. (II)