Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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4 Paxton High School Reflector trance in comparison with the number who are in the service as a result of the call of the draft. The comparison stands essentially at 94 per cent for the former, and 6 per cent for the latter; and, very direct personal information reveals the fact that nearly a one hundred per cent record would have been made had the same time been possible for those, who were called in the first draft quota, to select their department of service, as was available for a num- ber of those who were on the accepted lists and subject to a later call. Another striking fact is that 37% of all of the young men graduates of the Paxton High School, and who are now under 31 years of age, are either in the army or navy or some other branch of our war service. Indeed, in looking over the list of graduates, and reflecting upon the justifying conditions for exemption from, or unfitness for military service, the conclusion is necessarily reached that nearly a one hundred per cent record of available service from this group of men is now being given to our country. In this fact a justifiable pride is taken. Many of these men are not only graduates of our high school, but are also graduates of universities, and two of them, as elsewhere noted, are graduates of West Point. Nearly all of them are officers—either commissioned or non-commissioned—ranging all the way from corporal or sergeant to captain. At least thirteen of the boys for whom a star is placed upon our flag are now on battleships in foreign waters, or across the sea in training camp or trench and firing line; and so many are now at or near the sailing ports of the sea. that we daily expect to hear that scores of others are there, repeating as their feet first press the soil of France, the inspiring words of General Per- shing spoken at the Grave of Lafayette. “Lafayette, nous voila”— Lafayette we are here.” In reflecting upon what this all means to the brave boys themselves, and to us, and moreover to our country, to France and to the world, there comes to the writer's mind, the incident and the facts that follow. A few days ago at general assembly we wrere singing that pathetic, yet profoundly inspiring song, Keep the Home Fires Burning.” It was called for a second time and was again sung with a profoundly deepening impres- sion upon the hearts and minds of all present. At the conclusion, the request was made that all students and teachers who had near family relatives now in the war service of our country, or in training therefor, rise to their feet. Nearly half of thos , present rose. It is not strange therefore, when we sing,“Keep the Home Fires Burning”, there is an all pervading spirit of subdued tenderness, pathos and love, that Fpeak more the song of the heart than of the voice,—and yet there is that too which tells of a lofty patriotism, joy and pride, in the thought of the noble heroic service these gallant young men from our school and homes are giv- ing to the sacred cause of liberty and of humanity. And so long as their seivice is needed, the Paxton High School will continue to sing this cheery song, though our hearts are yearning—even breaking—till the boys come home again.

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Paxton High School Reflector 3 Foreword As graphically indicated on the cover page, this number of the Paxton High School Reflector is designed to be toth in content and spirit, a Service Number-' in honor of the near One Hundred boys and older young men who arc now, or very soon will be, in the actuol service of the United States Gcv- ( arnem, c ither in the army or the navy. The actual number of former graduates and other students, now in the army, who have attended the school within the past ten or twelve years, is not known with certainty. A considerable number no longer live in Paxton, and the location or occupation of some of them is therefore unknown to stu- dents and teachers now in the school. However, it has been ascertained definitely that 49 of (the last 130 male graduates are now enrolled among the land and naval forces of the nation. In addition to these graduates, our records thus far show that 37 students who attended high school one or more years, but who did not graduate, have also found their way, by enlistment or otherwise, into the army or the navy, mak- ing the total number now on our service roll of honor, 85. That there are errors in the record here presented, and possibly prom.- nent omissions, is not improbable; but every reasonable effort has been made to secure accuracy, and especially to avoid omission of names. To this end, the roll was read to the entire high school two or three times before publi- cation. Should any reader of the Reflector know of any former student of the high school whose name has been omitted, and who is now in any branch of the war service, the information will be greatly appreciated by the super- intendent. as it is considered very important that the War Service records of the high school be accurate and reliable. Thus far no news of a serious character has been received from or concerning our boys. The worst has been the temporary illness of two or three, only. The near tragedy in the experience of Captain Howard Bushnell, who was one of the survivors from the Tuscania. stands out as an impressive warning, however, as to the possibilities of evil that may yet befall; but we rejoice that thus far it is well with them all. As they have had the courage and patriotism to go forth to meet every possible danger that may be in store for them, so we must have the courage and patriotism to sustain them in every way, and be ready to bear whatever burdens may fall to us as our portion in this time of universal sac- rifice—this time of world-wide suffering and sadness, of sorrow, of tragedy and woe. Among the striking facts revealed by the study of our high school representatives in camp, on the sea, or in the battlefields of France, is the remarkable percentage of the enlistments and other forms of voluntary en-

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Paxton High School Reflector 5