News
news news
to you.
So you saw a parade last week flags snapped the uniforms and all
that
and it kind of caught you right away you think I
got a list
and all of a sudden you're filled with that I got to do my part feeling
that what happened how it is that is well.
I know how you feel when you're in high school but look.
Take a little advice from your older and considerably more mature brother.
I see you wince at that word advice.
But I also remember a number of times
when you did come to me for advice sung settle down
and listen a little while to your big brother Bill.
Wish I could talk to you instead of writing.
This long letter from camp
but I think I can cover most of the things I want to say.
Try to get the picture now.
I've been in the Citizen Army for seven months doing my part as you put it
and you think enlisting is the only way you can do your part.
That's not quite so there are a lot of ways you can do your part
and I don't mean enlisting before you're finished with school. Know.
Doing your part is a full time job that you can work at right now.
The fact is you've been working at it all along at home. It's cool.
I know that job is called. Good citizenship.
Service and what was that you said how reading something here
that doesn't is not IMO Yes well beneath it is letter.
Well it is about service and citizenship it's kind of a serious letter.
Never thought I'd be writing to you about citizenship but it's a big idea.
Don't ever forget it. Let me put it this way.
Why do you think I'm here Howie me and thousands of other guys.
Why do you think we're giving all we've got mentally and physically.
Day after day.
What's the idea behind all this sweat
and toil we're being trained to fight if necessary
to defend our way of life. That's the answer to defend our way of life.
It's as simple as that. And you know what that way of life is like you've lived it.
But what good is defending a way of life. Tomorrow if we forget to pray.
Because that way of life today getting.
That's where the full time job comes in that's citizenship.
That's where everyone can do his part all the time.
Well you're practicing good citizenship now.
In your clubs
and student associations you're learning the responsibilities of self-government.
You're getting firsthand experience with the democratic process elections
representation.
And your other activities you're learning about teamwork and obedience to rules.
Another part of citizenship.
The idea of different fellows working together toward a common goal.
To under think of it. You're getting the same training and citizenship
that I got when I was in school for only I didn't they give it
that way at the time.
I can still see the definition of citizenship our classwork to citizenship
is the earning of rights by fulfilling responsibilities.
Earning a right by fulfilling responsibilities was
that high responsibility is mine and Bill's letter. Let me finish.
Mary
when you finished sure we learned what some of these responsibilities were for mom
and dad. Remember the day you got a ride to school with Dad
and I had time to stop at the polls with them. You told me later.
How much you were impressed. Seeing dad no neighbors there.
Well you said they seemed filled with a kind of pride.
You know that pride was how it was the pride of being good citizens.
And remember that one evening before I went into service. When you came home and.
Oh anybody home. I have no way how I'm still working on your P.T.A.
Account yet but ballots. It takes a lot of time doesn't it.
Why do you do it. Hi this is my job.
Maybe I'm not instilling that mind
when I accepted the office of today here I took on responsibility I made it my
responsibility to the group. Responsibility to the group.
That's a big lesson right there. Holly.
We got more of that lesson in
that we talk with Dad about citizenship was right after I went into the service.
My first three day pass. We all learn those things one way or another.
Well. I learned it this way.
You can't take things out of life without putting something in
but I don't have to tell you that you know it.
We've got a good life your boys way we live the privileges we enjoy.
But these things aren't all free. We pay for them one way or another.
Yes Bill starting to pay now and it. Well yes service is one kind of payment.
Important too but it's only one of the responsibilities we have as good citizens.
There are a lot of them bank taxes taxes defense runs all part of earning the
rights we enjoy. And don't forget serving on the jury your gripe.
But you went and you're a jury service. And don't forget Mother's P.T.A.
Work and my job with a better community group
and your three years in the Navy in World War two. That's right.
We both saw three years of service. Now wait a minute you aren't bothered.
Well mom's right no way. Well I was in the Navy.
She served right here taking care of you and working at the U.S.O.
Giving time to the Red Cross all these things add up to service.
What did you learn from your Navy service dad. Well a lot of things.
Bill
but I think the big lesson I learned was this service in the armed forces is the
heaviest responsibility of citizenship but I wasn't the only one to learn
that after all I was just one of fifty million citizens who served in one way
or another in World War two.
Ordinary citizens called on to do a job. And why not.
Why were we fighting to defend our kind of citizenship
dad was right Holly.
Service is a responsibility of citizenship
and it's just about the heaviest responsibility I've ever had so far for anything
you know of helping meet that responsibility.
Practicing some of the very same ideas of citizenship that you are learning now.
Working together as a team. Toward a common goal.
Obeying the rules.
Keeping informed knowing what's going on around you.
And accepting responsibility.
Meeting your responsibility to the group.
Well I hope you understand what I've been writing why it's pretty simple.
After all my job is to meet the responsibilities of citizenship in the service
of your job is to meet the responsibilities of citizenship at home.
My job to meet the responsibilities of citizenship at home.
In a moment you'll be discussing these films as you do we ask you to remember just
two ideas.
First this is about one group in the series
and second we ask you to consider how these films can help the boys in your school
and in the schools you serve. Are they ready for service.
Can this film series help them.
As the dozens of leading educators
and advisers who assisted with the films believe could they help you help this boy.
I don't want to go into service now I'm not ready. What can I do.
One boy out of millions. And helping them can begin here.
Now in your discussion.