Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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Paxton High School Reflector 5

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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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6 Paxton High School Reflector INTERESTING LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT B. CONRAD BERG. Camp Grant, January 25. 1918. Paxton High School Students and Alumni: — For a long time I have been awaiting anxiously to see a copy of the Reflector for I am interested in reading the excellent material that has al- ways been characteristic of it. Now it is to be a Service Number; but those who are clad in olive drab are not the only ones in the service. Those who are preparing to meet great responsibilities in a Reconstruction period are also in the service of the state. If the war lasts long enough, we will find that those who are now in the secondary schools will also have to shoulder the duties of those whose places are vacant when the count of man power is taken after it is over. Training for reconstruction is as important as the train- ing for destruction which engages the soldier. Since August 20th, all of my time with the exception of the week-ends ha3 been spent here at camp. Life runs on a schedule here similar to that of a school program. Each period of the day is devoted to some subject or work; a period of training on the bayonet run, a few hours on the grenade course; close order drill, gas instruction, signalling, scouting, days in the trench system, days of shooting out at the rifle range, and practice marches. Life in the open is great but the cold and fresh air make many sort of drowsy when it comes to the eight o’clock officers’ class each night. I ast week our regiment spent a day shooting at the range at a temperature of twelve below. It seems as if the tales of the beautiful sunny plains of Texas and the soft mild winds that drift thru the cantonments and camps in the south were mentioned a little more than usual on that day. All winter, rumors have been floating around camp as to where we go from here. Of course we do not want the war prolonged simply for our sake, but look at the German lines from a closer range would be appreciated be- fore the war is over. Camp is only about forty miles from home so in a way I have been fortunate in being able to spend week-ends that I am not on duty with my folks. About this time those wonderful semester examinations are approaching for your benefit. I know how much the students appreciate the half-holidays that come with them and what an easy time the teachers have without any classes.All they have to do is to make out questions, read innumerable volumes written on those questions and weigh it all carefully and justly and copy grades down in a half a dozen places and give one or two or more specials to those who might be in need thereof. Those piles of neatly folded papers never had any charms for me. 1 don’t know how my classes felt about them. Thru the “Reflector” T wish not only to extend a hearty greeting to those now in the high school, but to all with whom I have worked in the class rooms and who now are scattered thru our armies and to all who from the camps look back to high school years spent at Paxton—the Best of Luck. Sincerely, B. CONRAD BERG.