Warren Behrends Last Correspondence and Memorial

It is raining hard and freezing on
the trees; very beautiful indeed, but not
so practical for people who would drive
their cars on a night like this. I
hope you had nice weather so
that you could enjoy driving South
in the Duesenburg

Ned Richardson and I have
both promised each other to drive care-
fully. and arenothing our parents
such a promise. You already have
mine anyway buthere it is again.
Don't worry.

I am going to drop in and see
Harriet tomorrow night. Miss Black-
stone said that brother might get
through the portals to see their sisters.

I have a "blind date" for to-
morrow night in New York. If
you know what a blind date is
you will realize that I awaite it
with fear trembling. The only thing
the girl who made the date knows
about me is that I am 5'8" tall.

Tomorrow we have 20 minute
periods and are all through at
11.30. As I have no classes the
sixth and seventh periods I shall
be all through at 10.50. This works
out very well, because Mr.Oatley

is leaving at eleven o'clock for
Springfield in his car. He is going
to take us unknown along and so that
gives us plenty of time to get the one
o'clock out of Springfield. That
gives Ned a chance to stay off in
New Haven and gives me a chance
to see Harriet.

I'm looking forward to seeing you
in Charleston soon and it will
be mighty nice to have the whole family
together again. I'm telephoning Betty
Bratton tonight find out whether
she can come and if so when. If she

can come you will have received
a telegram from me before you get
this better. I think she is bring another
boy and another girl with her. Do
you think we can find room for all?

I received the map and tickets
O.K. Someone may thoughtfully mark-
ed the rest wrote in red pencil. Wish
I knew who it was so that I could thank
them.

Don't get me anyn more things
for X mas. Give it to the Red Cross
or the Near East Relief or something.
You do too much for me.

It won't be very long now
before we will all be together
again on the Amida. I am be-
ginning to feel more like I was
going home when we all live
on board her than when in the
house in Erie.

Please dust me a line some
time and tell me what arrange-

ments you made about
daring the La Salle meet
me in Washington. If
you haven't done this just say so
and I'll write Miss Fraters. I
shall probably write to her anyway as
I want to be sure the boot for
the toy is in the car and have
the wings put back on again.

I haven't been able to get in
touch with Betty Bratton yet
but I shall probably phone her
tonight if I can find out where
she lives. There is small informal

dance here next Saturday and
if she has no definite * for
next december Christmas and might
be able to go I'll ask her if for
that no that we can talk over that
matter. I think Harriet would like
it better if I could get someone to
* & keep her company. I'll write
you to New York the * * the
phone call.

I'm not at all sure I'll have
I'll have time to make the enlargements you
want, but if I do I'll be glad to
make them. Enlargements take a lot

of time and messing around.

There is not as much snow
here as there was in Erie, but
it very cold. The water question
is getting quite serious here now
and they are planning to drill a
number of wells next week. The
spring at the Eaglehook dried out
yesterday and so that is the jist
throws all the more drain on the
town system.

Hope you have a nice trip
south.

Headed in
Southern Pines. Next day
Charleston & the Amida
hill ? wonderful to see
for it. O all
& gather for Christmas.
We telephoned Betty &
offically invite her -and
she says she is coming
lawnell 27.?. Possibly
You have heard were
about this. Much love
think of how much
we care for you and

found with due caution
Lot of wild drivers on
the road
M. Warren.

Duesenberg ran beautifully -so far!
First day nice weather; very cold
yesterday. You may need your coon
coat, heavy hat or fur cap!!
Look forward to our Wiedersehen.

On December 19th, 1929 Warren Behrend on his way to join his family
for the Christmas holiday met a school bus at this place. The bus Made a left
turn in front of his car without giving the proper signal. Instantly this
man decided to run his car off the road bed, though it was slippery, to save these
children. his car overturned in this effort, killing him instantly

in my experience, I have never known a finer example of self forget-
fulness, esteeming the safety of others before oneself. Had he hesitated but
an instant the tragedy of that fatal day would have been written in deeper lines
some who are here today in possession of youthful health would almost certainly
have suffered with him.

it is appropriate to this occasion that young people of this
community pause today to consider his wonderful example of heroic sacrifice.
Warren's deed is a compelling challenge to every one present, most definitely to
every boy and girl in this community to dedicate ourselves to the call of duty
and of unselfish service. This deed should, and I confidently trust, will be
an inspiration to succeeding generations to respond instantly to the call to
duty even though it may mean to sacrifice.

As you young people look out into the world today the call to
unselfish service was never so compelling. Many of the finer things of life are
in peril. It is confused, almost hysterical. There is no remedy on earth for
these disorders so effectual as deeds not words of kindess, of self forgetfulness,
and unselfish sacrifice. May we not treasure Warren's heroic deed enacted in our
midst as a reminder to all future generations that the highest duty is always to
others rather than to ourselves.

This community, the two schools in this immediate neighborhood and
more particularly the children whose lives were saved by Warren Behrend's heroism,
with their parents and friends come today to pay respectful tribute to his wonderful

life crowded as it was with all the rich promise of a most useful and happy
career, then suddenly ccrowned by sacrificing all to the safety of children,
though the children themselves were unkown to him.

If inspired by the sacrifice of this splendid young man, you
boys and girls will dedicate your lives to the great tasks of life, not
sparing yourselves but giving youselves instantly and cheerfully when duty
calls, then the beautiful example of this splendid young man will not have
been in vein.

From what we learn of his exalted character we think that we
would wish nothing better than that these children spared by his heroic
decision should contribute something worth while to make the world better.