SUGGESTED ADDRESS FOR USE BY LEGION SPEAKER ON ARMISTICE DAY
(Prepared by the Americanism Commission of the American Legion, Indianapolis, Indiana)
As the world pauses to turn back the pages of time to a morning seven years ago to-day, we contrast the fervor of the men affected by the events of that morning with their feelings to-day. We find a zeal transplanted from warlike travail to the voluntary services and sacrifices of peacetime soldiers.
The hush of that morning hour heralded a new era, not for peace alone, but fraught with a promise of common understanding. It brings us to-day to solemn gratitude for the hour when the lessons of war foretold enjoyment of peace.
Back from the blood-ridden fields of Flanders came the vast army of men, swords unbuckled, and ready again to take up the plowshare. The teaching of the front lines had brought them an infinite learning. It taught them to carry the load of their comrade, to share crusts with him. To-day these and similar tasks claim the greater part of their untiring devotion.
The soil of France is red with the blood of
159
