The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-05-06
VETERANS OF lO2NO AMBULANCE
 CORPS GIVEN HEARTY WELCOME
at Banquet at SratfieldCzens Thrilled When Soldiers March to Stirring Music Through Streets-Speeches of Praise at Din ner by Heroes, Justice Wheeler and
 Mayor Wilson

No prouder, happier, victorious group of young men ever marched through the city of Bridgeport with as much enthusiasm and glory shin ing on their bright conferences and alertness. and whirn in their bodies, as the members of the 1O2nd Ambu- lance Corps, who paraded last night through the streets to the Stratfield' Hotel, where they were greeted by the members of the Comfort club who had arranged the victorious reception and banquet in their honor.
 Citizens on the streets last night who witnessed the parade were thrilled and cheered with all the spontaneousness that comes to those who suddenly vividly get the picture of the contrast of horrible war and victorious peace. Aroused with the matic touch at the Stratfield dining room when the little mothers assem- bled at the tables and looked glori- ously upon their brave lads, who only a short time ago were so far away.
 Never perhaps had the boys appre- ciated the quiet work of their sisters and mothers and the surrounding of home, as now. Every lad present, d1essed in his uniform, with that stall wart bearing, bright, happy look and cheery talk, depicted a picture not soon to be forgotten.
 Mrs. Charles H. Sprague and Major Adams led the march into the dining room. They were followed by Mrs. Frank Stevens and Major Taylor, Mrs. c. B. Wilson and Captain Johnson, Mrs. Adams with Major Stevens, Mrs. Johnston and Mayor Wilson, Mrs. Alison and Captain Sprague, Mrs. King and Rev. P. J. McGivney and Mrs. Wheeler and Rev. Alexander Alison.
 There were about 500 diners includ- ing members of the Comfort club, sol diers and their mothers, and guests of honor.
 Mrs. Sprague made the address of welcome, saying that words failed to
 express the thoughts of welcome tC the returning heroes who were al ways in the minds and in the hearts of the members of the Comfort club She paid a glowing tribute to the | mothers and said that the cluo could never. repay the pleasure it enjoyed ir working for the soldiers.
 Mrs. c. I. Crosby was cheered en- Enthusiastically with her canteen work CTS for the splendid work conducted at the railroad station by the devoted ! members of the club. When Major l Frank Stevens asserted that the re- cord of the Comfort club would gc | down with the record of the accom- pIishments of the 1O2nd Ambulance | the enthusiastic applause was 1ong and loud.
 Mayor Clifford B. Wilson 1auded tht | heroes and told them that the work I they have done, the record they hac
 made for themselves in this struggle of democracy will never be forgotten He praised them repeatedly for theil 1 fine work.
 Captain Charles Sprague was mos I enthusiastic in his praise of the boys ! and said that the smokes provided | by the members of the Comfort clut without a doubt helped win the war | He paid a high tribute to every moth | CT present. Dick Barlow, who wa:
 the correspondent of the 102nd boy!
 while in France, spoke of the work of the canteen and congratulated
 Little Mother Crosby upon her sue cessfu1 work.
 Justice George W. Wheeler said 1T | full:
 ''This is a proud night for the women of the Comfort club. I know
 they have looked forward to the time
 when they could welcome you home
 You have been their especial soIici l tude. Around you, for them, has hoy. 1 cred much of their thought Of -thi
 war. You have known in a farawa! | land what it meant to have thes, | women constant in their devotion t you. Men must indeed be brave ant | true to deserve such constancy. Ant
 I am glad to feel that you were 1 worthy of all the love and servic | poured out in your behalf. I joined
 with them in expression of my per | sonal admiration and regard, and
 take pride in voicing the common
 feeling of all those with whom I hay | been associated in war work il