The mystic two letters “U. S.” which are the emblems within the United States of peace and protection, became known in the World War far across the seas in many lands. Disturbed and broken nations welcome occupation by United States troops, because they have learned that Uncle Sam is both strong and merciful; that he hits his enemies hard; but raises up and saves the noncombatant, the neutral and the vanquished. Never has the reputation of the United States of America stood so high as a stalwart, resolute and unflinching power which puts out its wealth like water, and enlists its man-power by millions, when war must be fought. Never has the Uncle Sam conception of the great North American federation been so clear and so welcome in the minds of other peoples; what can any nation ask that is better and higher than to be hailed as the defender of civilization against the most furious blows; and at the same time as the friend, ally and protector of men of good will wherever found throughout the world? “U. S.” to hammer the Hun; “Uncle Sam” to succor the Belgians and French, to aid the Armenian and the Greek, as the friend of mankind. [Illustration: REBUILDING THE DISABLED SOLDIER Class in physical training, Base Hospital, Camp Pike, Arkansas] _Rivers, Harbors and Parks_ [Illustration: DISABLED SOLDIERS STUDYING AGRICULTURE Preparatory to practising it on a sixty-acre farm provided next to the hospital] In addition to the vast work of reclaiming desert lands, protecting forests, and improving rivers, harbors and canals, Uncle Sam has spent millions of dollars in opening up to the people great natural wonder realms of the country and putting them in order for outdoor pleasure grounds. Four National Parks--the Yellowstone, the Yosemite, Glacier National Park and Rainier National Park have already been treated in individual numbers of The Mentor, and future issues will be devoted to others of these magnificent public domains. The Grand Canyon, to which a Mentor number has also been given, is not one of the National Parks, but is a Reserve set apart for all time by the Government. [Illustration: SCHOOL AND GARDEN IN ALASKA A distant outpost of the Bureau of Education] Most of the National Parks are situated in the western part of the continent. Through the beneficence and wisdom of Uncle Sam there have been preserved for the American people the prehistoric dwellings of extinct races in Arizona and Colorado. Rocky Mountain Park, Colorado, and Crater National Park, southern Oregon, attract thousands of visitors annually. Every summer, innumerable groups of Nature lovers camp and tramp in the Government forest parks of California. In all, there are now (1919) sixteen National Parks in the United States and Alaska, with a total area of nearly 10,000 square miles. In 1916 a National Park was also created in the territory of Hawaii, with an area of 75,295 acres. _Use Your Government_