Even though his brother Roland was the younger of the two boys, Oscar was the oldest, and as such, he always tried to set the example, especially in times of danger and hardship. And so it was Oscar who decided that even though they both were rejected for military service during World War 1, they still could, and should, do their part in protecting family and homeland. Thus it was that they formed and headed up the group that would become known as “The Garden Guards” – protectors of beans and potatoes, squash and tomatoes, and so much more. Though he was the shorter of the two boys, Oscar declared that, as the older one, he should be the one to carry the family’s long rifle – thereby leaving only the Red Ryder BB Gun for Roland. And since they never had to fire either weapon in protecting their land, it really never mattered who carried what. Nevertheless, there they stood at attention, guns at the ready, day after day, making sure that the fruits and vegetables were able to grow to maturity and provide sustenance for all the members of their family. When the war finally ended in November of 1918, Oscar and Roland figured that they had done their duty to their country, and just before laying down their weapons for the last time, they had a photo taken to commemorate their years of faithful service. To this day, that photo of both boys standing proud and tall among the okra and radishes, hangs in the east wing of The Garden Guards Hall of Fame in their hometown.
