Norwell High School - Shipbuilder Yearbook (Norwell, MA)

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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.

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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

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THE SHIPBUILDER 23 ALEDICTORY A POSSE AD ESSEM From a Possibility to a Realty XVho knows what citizen of the great Roman Empire first spoke these words? NYas it some worthy statesman speak- ing of the growth of his fatherland, which under the guidance and aid of the immortal gods had become the greatest nation of its time, or did they perhaps spring from a more humble sourceg a farmer whose prayers for an ample crop had been answered or even a sailor who- had offered his sacri- fices and had received in return favor- able winds? But whatever their or' igin, their meaning is universal and as applicable today as it was yesterday. The steam engine, the automobile, the electric power plants, the radio, and countless other inventions were once merely dreams in the minds of their inventors-today they are so real that it is impossible to imagine the world without them. From log cabin to Vkfhite House. How much these words mean to every American for they call to mind what may be accomplished when there is the will to work as exemplified in the life of him who conceived of and helped establish a government of the people, by the people and for the peoplefl May we use a poetic simile and con- sider the little brown bulb? How mea- ,ger it is! Surely not large enough to promise much. Yet, give it a few months of proper care and you will be rewarded by the beauty and color of its flower. But enough of this. Vie are not concerned chieiiy with the lives of great men and the growth of lily-bulbs. As we leave our high school careers be- hind and turn to the future before, the facts of life confront us. Sustained by the vital confidence of youth and know- ing that our possibilities are unlimited, we do not wish to evade those facts- indeed we could not, if we would. Yes, somewhere in our subconscious minds, a hidden voice tells us that the ways leading from a possibility to a reality are many. But sometimes when we see the stones and ruts in the course before us, we doubt that success is at the end, after all. XVhat hardship and disaster as well as joy and accomplish- ment may be included in the small word ad in our motto. Only the ex- periences that await us can tell. The difficulties that surround us are as numerous as our opportunities. Those of us who do not go to college and who are considering this career or that, still undecided lest we devote our lives to an occupation for which we arc not suited, will be forced to start making our own way during a period of depression which has wrought such havoc in the business world. But we must not allow ourselves to become discouraged and so fall by the way- side, because we lack the patience and conviction to realize that conditions must be only temporary. We doubt, we hesitate-but we do not fear. Taking, as they are given, the gifts which have so generously been offered us-hope, ambition, courage, comradeship-we face the future un- afraid. lYhile we have the strength we will ever strive to make our several lives the successes that will make our school and our families proud. Above all may we be able truthfully to say when age has overtaken us and we re- view the past, that, albeit slowly, we have progressed Ufrom a possibility to a reality. We would have our lives be,