Homesick
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Choosing
conscientious objection to war was not an easy choice. Young men
made this decision with help of family and friends. It was a decision
that affected the whole community, not just the conscientious objector.
It meant appearing before a judge and then leaving home for an unknown
amount of time. This was never easy, especially when many people
didn't respect COs. The support of their home communities helped
COs to make it through the war. For many young men, this was their
first time away from home. They were very homesick.
 David
Jantzi felt fortunate that he could serve as a CO but found it hard
to be away from his wife and young son, especially when they were
serving for the duration of the war and no one knew how long that
would be.
Sometimes,
support from home took a very practical form. “Paging through my
camp diary,” A.J. Funk writes, “I also notice how we Saskatchewan
boys appreciated the parkas and woolen socks, which we received
from the Ladies Aid. We felt the warmth of those Ladies' donations
on our feet and bodies.” [ ASM , 219-220] These
letters and packages helped the men tremendously, especially
when they knew that being a conscientious objector had consequences
for their families back home.
Letters
and donations like this were part of larger Mennonite relief efforts.
When the war came, all Mennonite groups increased their international
relief work. In Ontario, the Non-Resistant Relief Organization,
collected and sent aid overseas. In western Canada, churches also
organized committees to collect food, money, and clothing. The committees
shipped this overseas to help victims of the war.
Church
ministers visited the alternative service workers both to encourage
the COs that they had made the right decision and to strengthen
their faith.
David Goerzen agrees that
ministers were present.
Church
members gathered together to provide a home
away from home for the COs.
Homesick
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