Peru State College - Peruvian Yearbook (Peru, NE)

Page 12 text:

FOREWORD Wh.it a wonderful year it has been—full of experiences of all kinds! In the world abroad glorious victory has been achieved, and peace— the peace of sweet freedom— liberty and justice. This book records in se- rious and mirthful chronicles the varied events and im- pressions of the unusual sea- son of 1918-19, as observed in the Peru State Normal School.

Page 14 text:

The First Service Flag A Memorial to Our Brave Soldiers Even the little children know the story of the first service flag and the one bright star that marked it. In that eventful time when the Child of God was born, a flag of light and hope was spread across the heavens and a silver star burst forth. ise men and shepherds saw the star and followed it to the place where the birth of Jesus of Nazareth was proclaimed. These events and others that followed are matters of well- known history. The Child that was born into the world as the star appeared in the first service flag, lived upon the earth and went about among men teaching the lessons of love and kindness and charity. Mis was a life of supreme service and lie con- tended constantly against the forces of hate and meanness and selfishness. Finally the star turned to gold and the world knew that the great sacrifice had been made: the Great Teacher had given His own life in order that others who would observe His teach- ings might live and enjoy life everlasting. Since then the lessons of the first service flag have been taught in every land, and people have sought to emulate the acts of Him whose sacrifices marked the turning of the star from silver to gold. For four long, sad, weary years the birth- day of Christ was celebrated in sadness and sorrow, while the men of many lands gave their lives in a death struggle in order that the principles of right and justice might not perish from the earth. Many stars in our country's service flag were turned to gold. Brave and courageous men sleep upon the fields of France. But they are not dead, for walking in the faith of Jesus they made the sacrifice thru which their souls live on, and the mem- ory of the service they rendered shall live forever as a bene- diction upon the world. Samufj. K. McKf.i.vie.