the tears and the cheers of comrades and you are going out from our midst with the tears of loved ones fresh on their cheeks, departing for whatever battle front the war department may send you, and in the belief that you will give the best you have in strength and manhood for the cause which means life to democracy.

"Today is the most momentous in the history of the world. Most thrilling for Morrill county. This is the first time we have ever sent a whole army to a foreign soil to fight for the same principle which gave this our nation life, going to fight shoulder to shoulder with the mother of our own civilization.

"You men who go out of our midst today may never return to us, and this knowledge is realized by those who send you. There are mothers with sad faces and there are grim eyed men who realize what it means for you to go. No cheering, no shouts of laughter mar the solemnity of the occasion, all is silent save the lowly spoken word, the vigorous handshake and the good wish for the future.

"Boys, you who are separated from your comrades' company may never meet again; separated for life. Those who see you depart sympathize with you and they also understand the deep sorrow on the part of the loved ones you leave. 'God help the person who would dare say that these boys in khaki are not all men.'

"You may go to France, you may go to Russia, you may be sent elsewhere, but you will gladly go where needed. We may never see you again, but you are still ours. We see you in the concentration camps, we see you on the great liner of the seas, still ours.