Norwell High School - Shipbuilder Yearbook (Norwell, MA)

Page 23 text:

Y g THE SHIPBUILDER 21 to remark that in Lafayette's possession the French and American Revolutions were combined when the blade of the sword, made of scrap-iron from the ruins of the Bastille, was put into the hilt of the sword presented Lafayette. Again XYashington's young heart was thrilled when his elder brother, Law- rence, made preparations for the war in the XYest Indies while the eight- year-old George gazed with thrilled ex- citement and admiration not unmixed with envy. This great love for a military ca- reer did not pass with the years as do most boyish enthusiasms but developed into a definite objective. XVashington's lirst opportunity to serve his country came in 1752 when France and Eng- land were arguing about the distribu- tion of land in America, which, in turn was preparing for a possible war. Vir- ginia was greatly aroused, and Gover- nor Dinwiddie appointed the young George XVashington Major of the Mil- itia. His great personality assured the people of dependability and efficiency, and his undaunted courage inspired their admiration. XVashington's com- hnanders never questioned his ability to meet the tasks they put upon his shoulders. During the war, under orders from Fngland, Governor Dinwiddie had to send a report to the French lines, a dangerous task requiring not only a safe delivery of the message but also a return report containing information as to the location of the forces and forts of the French. Qne man had re- turned unsuccessful and now the Gov- ernor pinned all his hopes on a mere boy, Major XYashington. It took ten weeks to complete this assignment, but upon his return with the reply and his own map of the district, XVashington was put at the head of a small army. Fort Necessity, which was built as a re- sult of XYashington's mission, was surrendered by him to the French dur- ing the French and Indian XYar, which followed, and was the only surrender which XYashington is known to have made. -Xt the close of the war, XYashing- ton was chosen Commander in Chief, for it was his calm, unswerving, deter- mined sense of patriotic service to his country and his unquestionable leader- ship which saved the young .Xmerica from collapse during the ei0'ht trying 'years of the Revolution. 6 His ways were ways of truth . . . In wisdom of action, in purity of char' acter he stands alone. It is impossible to think of such a man as being with- out friends or the most binding home relationships. Indeed XVashington's life was not, for in Mt. Vernon he was a most light-hearted, tender, loving father and the most genial host im'10' inable. a C fb' Martha and George XVashington's home was always open to friends, for WYashington said that if a guest would be satisfied with the plain food prepared by his wife, he would be welcome to his home at any time. Their home rang with the shouts of merry laughter of Martha and 'Iohn Custis, NYashing- ton's stepchildren, and upon them he lavished his deep affection. In later years, the children, whom they brought to Mt. Vernon, helped to comfort and cheer the General an-d his wife after the death of Martha and John. The grandchildren grew to be a great cred- it to Mr. and Mrs. Xlashington. One of the girls was married on lVashing- ton's last birthday. XYashington's great friendship to all is shown not only in his Military but also in his Social life. This is 'proved by the ideal friendship between

Page 22 text:

20 THE SHIPBUILDER when she is tired of the Austin. To Emily Smith we bequeath a book entitled How To Love The Teach- ers, used by XYilder Gaudette. To Geraldine Tibbitts we bequeath a bottle of Maybelline used by Almon Bruce. To Vincent Travi we bequeath XYil- der Gaudette's knowledge of dancing. To Helen XYhite we bequeath a milk bottle lgrush used by Emerson Merritt. ARTICLE 3 XYill the President of the Soihnnore Class please step forward-To you we bequeath this silencer so that the class will be more quiet hereafter. ARTICLE -l XYill the President of the lfreshmen Class ilease step forward-To vou we lequeath this ladder so that in time you may climb to the height the seniors have attained. lYe do hereby request that our fu- neral services be carried on by the fac- ulty of Norwell High School who have done so much toward bringing death upon us by slow inches, and we hope that our services will be carried on with deep reverence and sincere sympathy lgy all the classes after our decease. ln witness whereof, we have here- unto set our hand and seal at our resi- dence of the Norwell High School. Norwell, Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, this 20th day of .lune in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hun- dred and Thirty-two. Class of 1932 'Witnesses : Mr. l'ayne's Chevie Hatchie's Ford Leonard Leroy Hatch '32 +11 '11 ESSAY Tlili MILITARY AND SOCIAL Lllfli Ulf CSICURGE XY.XSlllXti'l'UX XX'asltington was the directing :spirit without which there would have leen no in lei endence, no Union, ut fonstitution and no Republic. llis ways were the ways of truth. llis in- llucnce grows ln wisdom of action, in purity ol- character he stands alone. fXX'e cannot yet estimate him. We can only indicate our reverence tor lnm and thank the llivine l'rovitlence which sent him lu serve and inspire his fel- lowmen. ---thus spoke talvm futil- idgc to tongrcss on XX'ashington's lnrthday in lfllf. When tieorge XX'ashington was a young lioy, his desire for military ex- perience and adventure inspired a friend to advise him to go In sea as midshipman. His mother. wishing to please her son. gave her consent. hut when the hour ot' departure came, he was forlliddell to go hecallse of a letter from his uncle in lfngland who ex' ilaineal that the ltoy would he treated like a slave or a dog and would lze wasting his life on the sea: sotieorge returned to school still yearning for qnilitary service. lfortunately for tlcorgc. his father realized his son's am'iition and rejoiced in remarking that his son inherited his love for mili- tary adventure from the Washingtons. It is quite possihle that one of his t'athcr's lirst gifts to encourage his son in his military plans, a sword, inspired Wasliington Io choose the same article as the most appropriate token ot' his esteem for l.afayette and gratitude for his service to America. lt is interesting

Page 24 text:

22 THE SHIPBUILDER 7 Lafayette and XVashington when La- fayette said he would never have known that he was sick in America had it not been for the marks of friendship M'ashington had given him on that oc- casion. Their friendship was so great that when Lafayette returned to France he was inspired to write: Nothing could delight me so much as the happiness of hnishing' the war under your orders. Ile certain. my dear General, that in any case, in any situation, whether I act as a French or an American officer, my first wish, 'my first pleasure, will he to serve again with you. However happy I ani in France, however well treated by my country and King, I have acquired such a hahit of being with you, and am tied to you, to America, and to my fel' low soldiers, hy such an affection. that the moment when I shall sail for your country. will be one of the happiest of my life. Marion I Iardwick '32 ale Q24 A FAQ l I.'l'Y liezirliiig' from Left. to Right in l'l'ill' row: Mrs. Pansy St.-tson, Music: Mrs. Lois Tm-- w - 1 - v nm-r, fUlllllll'l'l'l2llQ Mrs. iwact- toll-, tirzuh- lwveg Miss llorotlijf Myers, l'.n-. hsh: Miss Oella Min:11'd,.lunio1' llighg Mrs. lflowiict- l'inson, tiranlv Six. lfronl row: .-X. Philbrook Ilaggett, Sciencesg Roland W. Payne, i,l'lllt'lDlli, Mzitln-nintiesg Miss Marjorie White, Domestic Science: Miss Marion Hurley, I.anzua51esg Rodman Booth. Art.