Have a Joyous Vacation! – PIP #109

By Louise Peloquin

     At a time when a great many Lowellians were actively engaged in World War II,  L’Etoile maintained daily detailed coverage of the conflict and of those involved in the thick of it. While extending happy summer vacation wishes to readers, the editorialist did not forget all of the valiant individuals who made endless summers days carefree for schoolchildren and anyone privileged enough to take a break.

Turmoil tortures today’s world too and service members continue to risk their lives, and, alas, lose them. Nemo’s message therefore remains pertinent. (1)

 L’ETOILE – July 7, 1944 Editorial

 JOYEUSES VACANCES!

      The summer season, with its soft breezes and its burning rays, is supremely evocative of idleness and of aimless, playful rambling. To adults and to little ones appears, at the most heavy and most painful time, the anathema of the original earthly paradise: “You will earn your daily bread by the sweat of your brow.” Everyone dreams of the enchanted garden of Eden before the fall.

     If this period of heatwaves generally brings workers a bit of relaxation and recreation, for our schoolchildren, summer brings ultimate happiness. For them, only one thing counts, one thing that, for ten months, they have waited to shout with all of the power of their lungs, these two words: “Vacation time!” How many delights in these magical words! No more despotic morning alarm; no more fastidious and absorbing homework; no more pages to learn and assignments to copy; no more teachers to spy on them; no more detention; no more slavery! No more of that. On the contrary, freedom, fresh air, racing in fields, sun on heads, in eyes, in hearts, in souls, everywhere!

     It is beautiful. We have all been there and we would not, for all of the gold in the world, spoil the joy our dear, precious schoolchildren. We need them to grow strong and vigorous because their task, in future battles, will be heavy and exhausting. To acquire vigor and strength, they need recreation during these hours of rest and calm.

     At the solemn time we are crossing, we ask all of our valiant schoolchildren to think of their older brothers who are exposing their lives on the fields of battle in order to secure, for the next generation, freedom and happiness and to pray to God for them.

     Parents who have delegated their task during these past months to our devoted teachers, should open their eyes to provide their children with physical and moral strength during these days of vacation.

     To all, a joyous and beneficial vacation! (2)

• Nemo

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Many of L’Etoile’s editorials are not signed but this one is. We cannot identify this However, the name could be borrowed from French writer Jules Verne’s fictional character called Nemo who first appeared in the 1870 novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” and last appeared in the 1875 novel “The Mysterious Island.” Nemo, the brilliant and mysterious submarine captain of the submarine Nautilus, is known for his anti-imperialist views.

Translation by Louise Peloquin.