|
Although the world's greatest struggle is over and peace reigns once
more; this occasion is in memory of one of the heroes who gave his life
to pay the price for democracy, for freedom, and a world-wide peace.
The price has been a mighty one; yea, life and blood. May the cannons
that have gone to sleep nevermore open their mouths to thunder with a
death dealing sound, and may the gasses and clouds of smoke that have
been carried away by the morning breeze have vanished from the face of
the earth forever. Oh, may we once more hear the mocking birds' merry
song, the meadow lark call, and the clear happy notes of the robin, all
filling the air over the field that was once red with heroes' blood.
But may we turn our thoughts from these visions that sometimes fill our
minds to the thought of him who, a few short weeks ago, mingled with us
in his daily life; who when the battle cry came found him faithfully
busy with the cares and problems of life. If we were to ask every boy
or girl what we celebrate, on the 22d of February, they will at once
tell us "Washington's birthday." The man who is called the father of
this glorious land, who gave his service for America, a cause that was
just, and a people that he loved. But we shall also remember this day,
the 22nd day of February, as the day that Harry Elmer Anderson enlisted
in the service at Camp Dodge, Iowa, for America, a cause that was just,
and a people that he loved. He at once joined the 313 supply train.
Then in June of the same year he transferred to Chicago to the Diamond
T Motor Truck Co. From here he drove trucks all through the eastern
camps and states. He wrote home many interesting letters telling of his
experiences on these trips. He also told how kind the people were to
the soldier boys, for wherever they stopped for the night they received
a warm welcome.
But we are not to think that this truck driver housed himself in a
bandbox at night, for after an all day's driving the company would put
up their little pup tents and here camp for the night. He spent three
weeks at Camp Mills, N.J., then about the middle of August sailed for
France. After landing in France, he was very busy and only found time
to write two letters home before he was taken sick with pneumonia and
entered the hospital. From this illness he did not recover. In this
case, as in many others of a similar nature, we can be thankful to God
for the army chaplain who called on Harry and no doubt prayed with him.
This same chaplain wrote a letter to Harry's folks in this country. He
was noted while at home for his thoughtfulness for his brothers and
sister, and widowed mother.
He came to Iowa in 1909 with his parents and made farming his
occupation for some time; then later learned the carpenter trade. He
was a member of the Philathea Sunday school class at Randalia, Iowa. He
will be remembered as a faithful son, a good citizen and a steady
worker. Both the church and community extend the kindest sympathy to
the bereaved ones. The memory of him shall long live in the bosom of
his widowed mother who lives just east of Randalia, two brothers, Ivan
and Henry, the former still at home on the farm, the latter in S.A.T.C.
at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, also two sisters, Mrs. Ellen
Hoepfner of Newhall, Iowa, and Mrs. Elizabeth Vandersee, who is
attending school at Upper Iowa while her husband is in France serving
his country.
Harry Elmer Anderson was born in Knox county, Ill.,
May 22nd, 1894 and died of pneumonia somewhere in France, Oct. 30th,
1918.
The church was decorated by friends of the family with flags, pennants
and potted plants and flowers. Those from a distance who came to attend
the memorial services were Mrs. Ellen Hoepfner of Newhall, Iowa, Henry
Anderson from Mt. Vernon, and Miss Ruth Nelson, Harry's girl friend,
from Minneapolis.
|
Harry
Anderson