Today's Youth
What Have the Young Boys and Girls Been Up to Lately?
Boy Scouts
What Haven't These Boys Done?
These boys are too young to enlist, but that doesn't mean they can't help. Often we focus on the women, as we did on the front page, but the youth of America cannot be forgotten. Boys and girls, as there are Girl Scout groups as well, have stepped up just as much as their parents have to help in the war effort.
Below we have shared with you a portion of a diary written by a young boy named Benjamin Wilson. Benjamin explains why he wanted to be a part of the by scouts, and what it is that he has done to aid in helping his country.
Benjamin Wilson's Diary
May 8, 1917
Today is the beginning of the rest of my life, or so it seems. I have joined the Boy Scout of America, Troop 39012! I am so excited and a little disappointed that I hadn't joined sooner! I know I had mentioned in previous entries that my best friend Robbie is a part of the troop. He is 12, two years older than me, and he is one of the main "leaders" of the group!
Robbie has been nagging me to join for a long time now, and it only increased once President Wilson officially entered us in the war. Robbie told me that Boy Scouts all over the country help out and participate in so many great events!
A major event that Robbie told me about was the war bonds that the boy scouts help to see. "The government has enlisted our help!" Robbie told me. Robbie also told me about how the Scouts go around and ask the people if they'd like to help out their country. He told me it was so much fun to feel like you were a part of something big. Plus almost nobody ever said no! 17
I can't wait to help Robbie out and do my part in this war. I don't know exactly what everything means or what is happening, but I do know that there are soldiers who are going to fight and we have to support them.
So long for now,
Ben
Benjamin's First Medal
Pamphlet the Boy Scouts Distribute
Robbie's Savings Stamps Achievement Award
July 2, 1917
I am so lucky to be a part of the boy scouts! They welcomed me and I have even invited more boys to join! There are so many things that we have done in just the short amount of time that I have been a part of it.
They planted war gardens earlier and we have been taking care of those. There is a large community one that we are responsible for and I enjoy walking through the rows and seeing the plants grow.
I heard that people are collecting peach pits to help with gas masks or something. I never would have thought that peach pits would be so important! I also never would have thought that something like picking peaches would be so valuable.18
Another thing we did recently was sell war bonds and savings stamps and that is the most exciting time! Especially now because it is nearing Independence Day and everyone is feeling patriotic this time of year!
I feel so proud to be a boy scout! I love the oath: "On my honor I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight." In case you wondered what the Scout Law is, it is: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.19
I am trying to be the best Scout I can be and hopefully one day I can earn as many medals and make my country and troop proud.
Happy almost 4th!
Ben
August 19, 1917
Guess what? The Boy Scouts all over the country have all worked really hard in selling the war bonds and savings stamps! I heard the estimated total of $23 million!!! And that's just the boy scouts alone! Can you believe that? I like to think that I contributed a lot, but in the end it all shows how much a difference people can make when they come together for a cause!
School starts soon for me and I cannot believe everything that I have accomplished in just one summer! Robbie and I go to every Scout meeting and we participate in every event they do. We even got the chance to go down south and help out with some other troops as well!
Did I mention I got a medal? Apparently if you sell a certain amount of savings stamps and send in enough red cards you receive a medal!20 Robbie already had one of course, but I got one for myself now too! I was so proud! Mama made be pin it on my shirt and show everyone I saw! She is so proud of me and I think that having me here at home helps her think less of John who is over in France now. Sometimes I miss him, we are brothers after all, but I know he'll be safe. I pray every night that it is so.
Well, Mama is calling for dinner now so I better hurry on up. I can't wait for school to start! Maybe there will be more Scout activities in school! I don't know but either way I am excited! I never would have thought that I would love being a Boy Scout, but I sure do!
Until next time,
Ben
Liberty Bond and Saving Stamp Rally with the Boy Scouts of America
To learn more about each, see page 5 of today's paper for more information. You can click here or return to the front page and follow the link that is located there.