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After graduating from Harvard University, Franklin becainated By the time the war involved A his state in Washington DC He voted for A the war effort and supported President Woodrow Wilson's conscription draft in 1917 As a result of these decisions, Stanley and Roy were forced to participate in the war efforts in July of that year

Mrs Riddle was sick with fright the day the two boys set off for boot caht wife, and Roy assured Mrs Riddle that he would protect Stanley keeping him close at all times After quick handshakes with Sheriff Dawson and a surprisingly short prayer by Pastor Jaoodbye frohout boot caned theear, the two men set sail for Europe in early 1918 Because of their older age, they were initially assigned to cover rear units and not face the front lines As their artillery unit traveled closer to the heart of the war, Stanley spent his days writing letters to histheir adventures

Aside from the smoke and loud explosions all around their position, Stanley and Roy's group were initially surprised by the lack of gunfire The scorched earth was barren and s with countless dead bodies of various unifored across the battlefield,movement slow as the men worked their way toward the front lines Each day, the intensity of the fight increased Several tias bombs their direction and soldiers scattered for cover Following each incident, Roy would always ensure Stanley's protection The stench ful; they had not bathed in htly loith each passing skirmish

Somehow, Roy and Stanley's unit beca forces The Geran their assault early onetheir position in a eant to pull his hter corner Gunfire erupted in all directions At one point, several brave Ger clubs with nails and began striking the A head wounds Stanley shot two of the Gernals from opposite ends of their trench, Roy and Stanleywas okay Then out of nowhere, an object flew above their heads and landed in the middle of the soldiers Someone screamed out, "GRENADE!" and men trampled each other in an attempt to clear the explosive device Roy found himself buried beneath several bodies piled on top of his s the ht it was a dud After regrouping and getting themselves into a defensive position, Roy noticed the absence of Stanley He raced tohere he saw Stanley last and pushed into several soldiers standing in a tight group