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"We're Proud of You, Son"
The New First Division Adds New Glory to a Glowing Record.

The Phantom First

Commemorating the unveiling, in Washington, D.C., October 4, 1924, of the monument in memory of the battle dead of the First Division, A.E.F., 1917 - 1918, and read by Major General C. P. Summerall at the unveiling ceremonies.

The winds blow in from eastward, mist laden reeking brine,
And out 'o the ocean's ending - uplifting line on line -
All faint at first but nearer - though nought of sound we hear -
Roll forth the proud battalions who never met a peer.

The treat of tramping thousands falls gently as the dew -
The great guns lunch triumphant in menacing review;
The Phantom First is passing! - A glorious, gleaming host -
This is their only homing to those they loved the most.

Each brown aglow and following where hugh the Great Flag flies -
But O the wonderous fires that light the ghostly eyes.
Infrangible, intangible - as serried northern lines,
Horizon to horizon proud life the far-flung lines.
Earth of the earth in power - air of the air in tread -
Sweep on in a blaze of glory the ranks of the deathless dead.
And a heritage of valor, of faith and loyal flame
Shall wrap in a cloak of honor a Land's immprtal name.
E.C.G.

What if I ever find a vet
Ne'er A.W.O.L. yet?
Just look at him with candid ire
And tell him he's a wonderful liar.

Who'd like to have a ten-day leave
And pass to Paris-speak?
Don't kid me, sarge, it isn't right
You know I'm feelin' weak.

Why is it hard-boiled Private Smith
Is weeping copiously?
He feels the little onions feel
His knife - the kind K.P.

If A.W.O.L now I go
What fate's in store for me?
You're S.O.L. - and at the least
You'll get ten days K.P.
E.C.G.

Contributed by E. Clarkson Garret, Pvt. 1st Class, Co. G: 16th Inf., First Division A.E.F., 1917-19.

From Io Triumphe.

I Am So Glad

I am so glad that I was one of you - 
Buddies of yesteryear.
I am so glad I shared with you the muck -
The thousand pangs of Soldier Out o' Luck -
The slippery, slimy duck-boards-feet that stuck
In mud of trenches drear.

I am so glad that I was one of you -
men of mighty heart.
Nor ease nor rank not any privileged right,
But belly-down across the treacherous night
With you I watched the blinking star-flare light,
And slowly then depart.

I am so glad that I was one of you -
Friends of the splendid days.
Each little woe - each vital staggering pain - 
The lonely listening post - the ceaseless rain -
The crashing shelss - the steel swept gory plain
With bayonets ablize.

I am so glad that I was one of you -
Where manhood rose supreme.
On weary hike - in cars as herded kine -
Each sweeping charge - each gaping wound of thine -
Each trial you bore were mine, brave hearts, were mine -
Each thought - each hope - each dream.

First Division Scholarships

The most effective way to transmit the spirit of the First Division to succeeding generations is to inculcate it in the best of our youth. Through the generosity of Colonel Clark Williams there have been First Division scholarships at The Citadel since 1932. The beneficiaries were selected by the Branch Societies and all have been worthy of the choice and the status. Five of them graduated in 1936 and five in 1940. Six are cadets at the present time. In addition, he has given two scholarships from Maryland in memory of our beloved comrade, the late Colonel Redmond C. Stewart, and three others from Camden, S.C. In all twenty-two young men of superior character and mentality have been influenced by the qualities that made the Division immortal. All the graduates are not serving or will serve as officers in the Army and in them the First Division will live again in campaign and battle. The Division must feel a sense of deepest gratitude to Colonel Williams for this evidence of his loyalty to and faith in the undying virtues that made the Division great.

Colonel Robert R. McCormick has given two scholarships at The Citadel from Illinois for the past seven years. Two have graduated, one is a senior and one is a junior. All have made creditable records and are worthy of the names First Field Artillery Brigade and the Fifth Field Artillery which they bear. In this way Colonel McCormick is transmitting the ideals and standards of the First Division to future generations. His loyalty and devotion to the Division have been outstanding in many ways and all must be correspondingly grateful to him.

(Signed) C. P. Summerall,
President of The Citadel. 

Transcription Notes:
image - drawing of two soldiers, one from WW1 and one from WW2 all done, please review ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-15 09:50:05 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-15 09:53:21