Evening star., 1919-09-19
PERSH|NG PRAISES
WOMEN IN THE WAR
Cheered by "FeIIow Soldiers"
at Reed Hospital as He
Pays Them Tribute.
MEN HONOR MRS. REA

! Tribute to the women of America
for the part they played in the world
| war was paid by Gen. John J. Per-
| shing in the course of an informal
| address at the Red Cross Recreation
House at Walter Reed Hospital last
| night on the occasion of "Pennsyl-
vania night"
Gen. Pershing made himself at home
among the wounded boys at the hos
pital, and was tumultously cheered
when he arrived and when he went
away. His tribute to the women OF
the land came after a short address
to his fellow soldiers"
Pennsylvania night" was cele-
brated at the hospital to bid farewell
to Mrs. Henry r. Rea. Red Cross
field director. who will leave shortly
Yer loving cup and a bouquet of
American beauty roses was presented
to her last night by the men of the
hospital. -.
Calls Woman "the Inspiration"
After Gen. Pershing had completed
a short talk to the wounded men he
sat down while Gen. Wallace w. At
terbury spoke. When the latter con-
cluded Gen. Pershing sprang to his
feet, placed his hand on the table
bearing the cup, and said:
Il am going to finish my speech.
forgot to say how much we appreciate
how much has been done by Mrs. Rea.
began to tell stories about PennSyl-
vania, and you laughed, and forgot:
"The work of Mrs. Rea and the other
women of America like her." Gen
Pershing continued, gave US the in
Snira tion IN bring hack home to
America the victory"
That was all. but the simple tribute
to the women of America from the lips
of the commander of the American
expeditionary forces expressed the
feeling of every soldier in that great
host The wounded men. the Red
Cross nurses and staff officers present
last night broke into hearty cheers,
and the name "Pershing" was shouted
from the floor.
Addressing Men Privilege"
Fellow soldiers Gen. Pershing be-
gan, in his address following a musi-
cal offering presented by the wounded
Pennsylvanians, LIT is a great privi-
lege for me to have the opportunity
of saying word to the men who Of
fered themselves for the supreme sac
rifice and have carried back home with
them the evidence of it. Surely every
member of our Army in France would
envy me the chance Of saying to men
who so gallantly represented their
country how much we think Of them.
how much. gratitude fills our hearts
for the service they rendered. While
in France l sought every opportunity
to visit the wounded men,"
Explosion Startles All.
AS Gen. Pershing began a story OF
his visit to one Of his wounded SOL
diers in France, a tremendous ex-
plosion rang out from the rear of
the crowded hall. Apprehension
reigned for the second necessary for
every one to see that it was merely
an unannounced lashlight taken Of
the distinguisher speechmaker.
THAT ought not to disturb any Of
you men," Gen. Pershing said, with
accent on the word '-any." Then he
resumed his narrative.
II visited one man in a hospital,
and asked him where he was wound
ed" Gen. Pershing continued. 'The
boys eyes flashed. Why he said, it
was on that road that turned from
the field past the river, down by that
old barn, near the big tree-I was
wounded right there. Don't you re-
MEMBER
And I was very glad he thought
that was there" said Pershing, SIM
ply.
Il always found our wounded men
optimistic and brave, and you can't
tell what it meant to the men at the