The Wrangell Sentinel

"POUR IT ON"

There isn't anything about this war that we like. We are of the considered opinion one hundred per cent of the American people feel the same way about it. If there was some magic quick way of eliminating Messrs. Hitler, Mussolini, Hirohito and their gangs and calling the whole thing off we'd all be for it. But there isn't. The only way to end it is the hard way; as Mr. Churchill put it by "blood, sweat and tears."

With the admitted situation before us, we in the Wrangell community need to "pour it on" as the lads on the fighting front say when they squeeze their triggers. It is not as satisfying nor as glamorous to squeeze a trigger in the home guard as to come roaring down over the deck of an enemy carrier with guns spouting death and destruction, but the job at home has to be done, too.

For example, the Alaska Guard unit here in Wrangell needs some additional men right now to properly function and carry out its job in this community. It's job, by the way, is your job—protecting your home and fireside against the ever-present threat of attack. Last Monday night when the Guard fell in there was a good representation of citizens of the community on hand, but not enough. We would not be exaggerating to say about half enough. When we get around to various gatherings in the community we see a great many faces which would fit in nicely into that Guard unit—men who could well afford the time of an hour or two a week to devote to this vitally important duty.

As we said before there is nothing in this war, or any other, that we like, and one of our pet hates is lugging a gun around with nothing or nobody to shoot at. That, we assume, is the way a great many others feel. But the point is that men must become familiar with their weapons; must know how to use them with the maximum of effectiveness, and, primarily, must know how to execute commands. An hour or two a week in this duty is about the smallest bit a man can contribute to the war effort. We need to "pour it on" in the Guard activity.

We need some of the same thing on some of our other local fronts. How many of you, for example, have carried out, or are prepared to carry out, the instructions long since distributed among us by the Civilian Defense organization? Yes, we too. We are all negligent in the little things which are mighty important to make up the major scheme of things in winning this war.

Elsewhere in this valuable newspaper today are further instructions and information about Civilian Defense as compiled by the leaders of that organization. We suggest you read and act upon them as millions of others are doing throughout the nation.

This may be the toughest winter of the war, or it may be the first of other tough ones to come. While the tide is turning in our favor, there is no quick, easy victory in sight. It is a long, hard pull. We in Wrangell must do our bit, small though it may seem, to assure final decisive victory. No task is so small that it can be neglected in this all out war effort.

It's time, fellow citizens, to pour it on a little heavier.

V