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AMERICANISM We are Americans--- We dare to think, and on the printed page Our thoughts are graven for the world to see; We dare to speak, and o'er the oceans' rage Our words are echoed by humanity. We dare to act when tyrants lift the sword, And helpless fellow men are forced to kneel; We dare to die and, dying, meet our Lord With blood of fiends upon our broken steel. We dare be firm and shape the terms of peace To fit the future, not the present, gains; We dare be just, that hate and wars may cease, We dare be proud that while this life remains We are Americans.
Written for American Legion Convention, 1945
These verses were written in 1943, following the death of Lt. Alan F. Kirschner, a pilot in World War II. Gold Star Chapter No. 5 of the American War Mothers had the verses printed in gold on cards which were sent to all St. Paul mothers losing sons in service, as the death notices appeared in the papers. Now, mothers all over this country are, sadly, once again receiving those dread death messages. Some may find a bit of comfort in these lines: They do not die in vain, The winter wind, the summer rain Shall sweep across wide lands made free By these who perished gallantly, And sing each name.
Ours is a bond of tears, Of sorrow shared through lonely years; And while we mourn the lives they gave, Hold high the banner of the brave, Keep bright the flame
PEACE
It could be proved the pen is really mightier than the sword, If all the pens of all the world wrote "Peace" with one accord.
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