Conscript.
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"Of course, its done him worlds of good", they said,
"He's twice the man he was - a puny chap
he used to be, if you remember - always at books and that,
but since he joined
he's broadened out. They've made a man of him;
You wouldn't know now".
Deep-sunk in rain-soaked ditch, with weeds and filth
stopping his mouth, the soldier lies;
swollen and black, his face turns to the skies
in blank, unquestioning stare, his body, tight
and big as flood-drowned pig, lurches and sways,
to wind and water. Yes, he's broadened out -
he's twice the man he was; a pity, though,
his life should run, like bright oil down a gutter,
to implement some politician's brag.
His world went out
through that neat hole in temple, quickly and easily
as words from windy mouths. And loves unknown,
and skies unseen, and books unread,
forever lost, he's dead.
You wouldn't know him now.
… A professor of speech who tangled with the German mind during World War I and observed Japanese students at the University of Hawaii nearly 20 years later convinced East High school graduates that they can meet and destroy Axis fanatics with one weapon — courage — at commencement exercises last night (June 10) … The Memphis Belle, veteran of 25 trips against the enemy over Europe, is coming home under her own steam with her crew, including Tech. Sgt. Harold P Loch of Green Bay (June 10) … The wire services have already told the story of how Capt. Thomas J. Classen of West De Pere and his eight bomber crewmen came through to safety after 66 days in Japanese-controlled Pacific waters, and during a brief visit here, Capt. Classen told his story, with the current issue of Yank magazine carrying a full account (June 11) … Terming rumors of immorality among women in uniform as unfounded and Nazi propaganda, recruiters here in charge of enlisting women in the service issued a joint statement indicating that names of persons under suspicion of circulating these rumors will be turned over to the FBI for investigation (June 12) … 