EXCERPT: Fog envelops the stage. Coils of barbed wire loom in the mist. Beyond the wire, bushes choke the landscape. Overhead, artillery shells whistle, coming more and more rapidly. They land in the distance, flashing in the dark and rumbling the earth. As the barrage intensifies, the sound and light overwhelm the senses.

Lines of doughboys march down the aisles and spread out before the stage. When the shelling stops, Major Charles Whittlesey climbs a ladder onto the stage, turns, and faces his men.**

MAJOR WHITTLESEY

The time of trial is here. Beyond that wire lies the Hun. This is the final push, the beginning of the end, and the shortest way home is over that wire and straight through Germany.

I know that some of you are new to this. I won’t lie to you. You will see things you’ve never seen before, or wish to see again, and they will frighten the bravest among you. Remember that being scared isn’t the measure of a man. The measure of a man is what he does even when he’s scared. I know you’re all good men, lion-hearted and strong. We will do our part for our country, come what may.

The rest of you know what lies ahead. Give the Germans hell. They’ll be sure to give it back. Help the new men if you can. The recruit whose life you save today could save yours tomorrow.

Follow your orders and stick to the plan. Remember your spacing. If you stick together, you’ll make easy targets.

Sergeant, ready the men. Men, steel yourselves. I know all of you will do your duty. Your duty to your country. To your family back at home. To the man standing beside you. We will push ahead as one man, with one will and one goal—victory!*