Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-21
PRAISES THE GUARD
Representative Stevenson
Compliments Local Brigade.
DEFENSE OF THE COUNTRY
Citizen Soldiery Receives Insignia,
Prizes and Medals.
WORK BEFORE THE TARGETS
Brigade Band Furnishes Music for
Ceremony in Center Market
Armory.
DEFENSE OF THE COUNTRY
WORK BEFORE THE TARGETS


by the members of the National Guard
of the District of Columbia for qualfica-
ton in small-arms practice during the
season of 1908, the award of prizes won
in the target competitions last evening
and the presentation of service medals
occurred last night In the drill hall OF
the Center Market Armory.
A feature of the occasion was an adj
dress by Representative Halvor Steiner
son, chairman of the House committee
on the militia. Gen. Harries introduced
Representative Steenerson, who congrat-
ulated the members Of the guard or
their splendid appearance and also for
their achievements.
II am one Of those who believe that
the interests of the people as a whole
cannot be better subserved than through
Guard he said. II am also forced &c
admit that 1t is my belief that the peo-
Pile OF this country do not take the in
terest in the militia that they should
The militia is composed of men from
every phase of social life. and is thus a
representative organization Therefore
to have a high-grade militia organiza-
ton is to keep the interest of the people
at high pitch in defensive work.
Preparation for Defense.
This event tonight signalizes one fea.
ture Of this preparation for defense of
the country. Medals and badges are to
be awarded to guardsmen found to be
efficient in the art Of shooting. We rec
ognize that gunnery is not the same to-
day as 1t used to be. The effort toward
securing skill required more attention anC
labor than was once the case. When one
of these prizes has been won for high
n 10 ,avyrr I, lnI1 hos
right to look upon it as a badge of
honor.
you compose the National Guard of
the District of Columbia and represent
the capital of the nation. This fact gives
this organization the most important po-
sition of any similar organization in the
country.
'I want you to feel that while the Dis
trict has no representative in Congress.
we, the representatives of the people.
are watching your work. The friends of
the guard at the Capitol are endeavoring
to inculcate into the minds of the others
who are not familiar with this class of
work the necessity Of interesting them
selves in this department Of military de-
Tense. There is a growing sense Of ap-
probation among the members Of Con-
gress toward not only the District mill
tia, but the militia in general
Formation of Troops.
successful teams and individual winners
reported to Lieut.. Col. Luther H. Reichel-
derfer, 1st Infantry, and under his COM
mand were formed in the drill hail. Com
pany M, I'd Infantry acted as guard for
the occasion. The Brigade Band, under
Director Mcleod, rendered selections
throughout the evening. 1t is estimated
that fully % per cent of the members OF
the organization attended the ceremonies
Members of the general staff were present
and assisted Gen. Harries. Adjt. Gen
Smiley and Representative Stevenson in
presenting the prizes.
The guests occupied seats near the cen
ter of the hall. where a large table, dec
Grated with American flags, had been
placed and the prizes exhibited before
the opening Of the exercises. The hal
itself was decorated with bunting and
flags.
Winner From Maryland.
Sergt. E. o. Wright, 9Th Infantry
Maryland National Guard. winner Of the
gold medal in the Harries long-range
match, attracted considerable attention
when he appeared on the floor. attired in
the uniform of that organization
In connection with the prizes for the
October matches three bronze figures for
the highest figure of merit in the matches
were presented as follows: Second Regi-
ment. I'd Battalion Of the I'd Regiment
and Company X, I'd Regiment
The gold medals offered by Company E.
list Regiment. each year to members OF
that company for the best work as an
expert sharpshooter or marksman were
presented to NJ. 3. Atkinson, H. w. Buell.
and John Reese.
The names of the prize winners and
those who received insignia and service
medals have heretofore been published in
The Star.