Lee County, Illinois - Chapter 5, 1920

Fpon the entry of the rnite.l Stat of the United States Department of Lahoi', a plan was evolve.l which aiineil to train the hoy to do his part in winning the wai'.

Ill 1917, more than a score of boys were registered in Lei' ( 'ouiit>-, in tins organization, not counting scores of others who performed a similar s(>rvice, Imt who weic not registered in this organization. These boys made good on the job, - several of whom hail no training for the work of the farm. Many farmers who were skeptical at first found out that city boys were bright and quick to learn, and these farmers were glad to assist such boxs to make good. Most of the boys enjoyed the freedom and indeiiendence of farm life, and its wholesome surroundings. Despite the haid work and long hours, they went over the top with the work with flying colors, and retui'iied to school in the fall benefited in health and character, and with the satisfaction of having done an imi)ortant i)atriotic work foi' their country.

President Woodrow Wilson; Governor Frank ( ). Lowden of Illinois; Honoiable Samuel InsuU, ChEiiman of tlie State Council of Defense; Honorable Francis (1. Hlair, State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Illinois; Honorable Burridge D. Butler, Federal State Director of the Boy's Working Reserve in Illinois; and many another distinguished personage, through the agency of public letters, and inoclaniations gave impetus to the plan, which was a call to the youth of America, - not for military or naval s(>rvice, but to enroll such boys for essential productive industry to helji to win the war, that the world may now, and hereafter be safe for Democracy.

The plan of 1918 assumed additional organization features. Boys from sixteen to twenty years of age volunteered and were enrolled in the U. S. Boys' Working Reserve, placing themselves at the disposal of the non-military authorities for work, - particularly in the food producing occupations. Those who elected to leave school prior to the termination of the regular school year, were granted school credit, under the rules of supervision, for such school work as was actually missed. All of these volunteers were encouraged to wear conspicuously the lapel button of the "Reserve", as a badge of special designation. More than ever, city boys and country boys toiled side by side in the fields and gardens, - happy and content to do their bit for universal freedom, - regarding it as a privilege to assist in minimizing hunger among the nations of the world who so stead-

Illinois thrilled as never hefore, in siinilai' manner, at the voluntary and willing sacrifices of these palri<itic l.oys who provided a .lienerous pai't in supplying the power that daily flung the l.altle line forward. Hoys who worked six weeks in either year were awarded a bronze Federal medal; thosi' who woikcd twchc weeks were awarded an added "Honorable Service" bar, or medal, to be woiii with ilic regulation medal.

Nearly one hundretl hfty hoys, to date, are the proud posse.ssers of the bronze medals, and nearly one hundred of these are eligible to receive I he addet' honor, when the .service bars are distributed direct from Washington.

All honor to these manly, unselfish, |)alriotic boys! Some of their heroic brothers lie asleep among Picardy's poppies, and elsewhere in " No Man's Land. " Some are maimed and some have already returned to their homes, crowned with the laurels of a grateful nation, and nations. Both the heroes and their toiling brothers merit our highest attention in these annals, and oiir most earnest compliment and mention is herewith accorded to them.

The Boys' Working Reserve will be perpetuated during 1919, at least. Boys will be permitted to wear a uniform, suitably designed by competent authority, and approved by the Federal authorities. The plan of enrollment and detail of procedure for service will remain pi-actically miclianged.