CIVILIAN DEFENSE,ARMY: Spiritual Alert

CIVILIAN DEFENSE

Colonel Frederick L. Devereux,* Director of Civilian Protection in New York’s Westchester County, last week suggested a cure for the playful spirit with which many U.S. citizens meet blackouts. He pointed out that during blackouts people who take them seriously often feel “that some great cosmic thing was about to happen, as though creation were about to occur and a new world were to be born.” Said he: “I suggest that while the protective forces are on the physical alert all other residents of Westchester declare a spiritual alert between the warning siren and the all-clear signal so that persons may, in solemn unison, lift up their hearts in prayer for the safety of our armed forces and civilians alike in a mighty plea for victory.” In the area’s surprise black-out this week, prayers will be led by clergy of all faiths over the local radio station.

Colonel Devereux was confident that “praying will take playfulness out of blackouts.”

* Distant cousin of Major James P. Deveroux, heroic Wake Island commander.