The following poem was composed by a former well known Birch Cooley boy:

We have often praised our soldiers,
            For valorous deeds they have done.

We have told in song in story,
            Of the battles they fought and won.

But I have a story to tell you,
            A tribute I wish to pay,

To America’s Silent Army,
            That is winning the war today.

From every city and hamlet,
            From every farmhouse they come,

Not with blare of the trumpet,
            Nor the martial sound of the drum,

But they have girded on their armor,
            And quietly entered the fray.

America’s Silent Army,
            And they’re winning the war today.

‘Tis the mother who sends her sons to the front,
            Although her heart may break,

She smiles as she cheers them on their way
            And it’s all for her country’s sake,

She keeps her tears for the lonely hours,
            While she kneels by her bed to pray,

She belongs to the Silent Army,
            That is winning the war today.

‘Tis the young wife who is left lonely,
            In some little cottage home,

While her heart is away in the trenches,
            Where her soldier husband has gone.

She knows not the day nor the hour
            The cruel price she must pay.

She belongs to that Silent Army,
            Which is winning the war today.

‘Tis the young girls in the bloom of youth,
            Who greet with a cheerful smile,

The soldier boys of Uncle Sam,
            As they march in rank and file,

They are loyal American lasses
            And they love the U.S.A.

They belong to the Silent Army,
            That is winning the war today.

Who is first to answer the call of distress,
            Who is first to cheer the brave,

Who is first to lay the wreath of flowers,
            On the fallen hero’s grave,

Who is first to respond to their country’s call,
            And the last to receive their pay?

‘Tis American’s Silent Army,
            And they’re winning the war today.

So fill up your glasses with water, boys,
            From some pure native spring,

And take off your hats and cheer, boys,
            And while the echoes ring,

We’ll drink to the bravest soldiers
            In the good old U.S.A.

To America’s Silent Army,
            That is winning the war today.

George H. O’Shea, B. M. S. Hot Springs, S.D.