The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-27
FEAST IS GIVEN
TO COL. DONOVAN
AND HIS STAFF
Leader of Old Goth in Speech
Calls for Universal Mill
tary Service.
C0LORS GIVEN TO UNIT
R0dman Wanamaker Presents
Flag and Makes Gift to
Mrs. Donovan.

Mrs. Donovan.
Col. wild Bill" Donovan. Chaplain
Francis p. Duffy and the other officers
and men of the old Slxty-ninth New
fork-known to the army list as the
16bth Infantry-were officially welcomed
home from France last night by Father
knickerbocker, whose breast ewelled Wis
IDLY with pride. The commissioned per-
sonnet of the regiment was entertained
at dinner by the Mayors Committee of
Welcome in the grand ballroom at
Sherry's.
The non-commissioned officers and
men were guests of the committee at n
buffet supper and dance in the regi-
ments armory, Twenty-sixth street and
Lexington avenue. The warmth of the
greeting at both affairs went far beyond
the bounds which are usual at official
functions-even In these days when
homecoming troops are concerned.
Mayor Hylan. the heads of many of
the city departments and high ranking
army officers were among the guests at
The dinner. probably the last affair OF
the sort to be held in Sherry's ballroom
before that establi shment moves across
the street to its new quarters. Col
Donovan, was cheered wildly when
he made speech in which he urged
universal military service as the best
insurance against future war. He de-
clared that the proposed League of Ma
lions was IAN exper ment' at the best,
END said that only preparedness and
training could prevent such sacrifices of
life, as his regiment had been called
ha ba
France.
Presentation of Flag.
Rodman wanamaker. Spec al Deputy
Police Commissioner who was toast
master. presented an American flag 10
the regiment in behalf of the citizens
OF New York. "A pair of platinum cum
l:nks set with diamonds and sapphires
was also given by him to Chaplain
Duffy as token Of the city's thanks
for his services abroad.
Mr.. Wanamaker whose felicitous man.
ner as the pres ding officer had much to
DO with the success of the dinner. in
presenting the colors to Col. Donovan,
said:
you have been on the danger line
you fought brave fight, you helped de-
feat q common foe. To the bravest Of
boys, in behalf OF the citizens of New
York, II gives me great pleasure to pre-
tent this glorious flag of independence
TO you-the flag that will never touch
the ground"
Mr.. Wanamaker also gave Col. Dono-
Tan n platinum bow knot scarf pin set
with 144 cut diamonds, which he re-
uuested the Colonel to present to Mrs.
Donovan.
Nothing could be more fitting or
proper" said he. than to designate
Mrs. Donovan as mother of the gold
star mothers-the mothers whose sons
paid the supreme sacrifice fighting over
seas"
After the applause which greeted his
Introduction had subsidized sufficiently
for him to make himself heard Col
Donovan said that he and the regiment
were indebted to the city OF New York
Tor so many kindnesses and courtesies
In the last few days that 1t was diff
fcult for him to find words in which to
Express his thanks. He referred to the
vast contribution which the city has
made to the fighting forces abroad to
the welcome given the Twenty seventh
Division, the homecoming OF the Seventy
seventh and to the New York units
which fought in many other organiza-
tons
Il hsse never appreciated until within
the last few days how close to the hearts
Of the city the Sxty-ninth really Is"
said Col. Donovan. IT hope you will
hnd that our men have come back to
you finer and better citizens than when
they went away. They do not come
back to boast. We realize that mistakes
have been made but like to believe
that our regiment bore its part 1t was
the striking head of fine division.
while yielding TO no one in support
Of the American flag. we have been
proud to uphold the old racial tradi-
tons of the regiment"
Colonel Donovan then accepted the
flag, which had been carried to him
at the speakers table by officers of the
Police Reserves. and declared that II
would be kept in the Sxty-ninth's ar
inory as long as the regiment endured
II know that this Is the time for me
TO STOP continued the Colonel. but ]
should be doing wrong If did not say
word to bring home to you gentlemen
the need of a proper military policy. II
i3 particularly needed when / see YOU
complacently sitting back n your chairs
and smoking your cigars. Unless we
have awakened TO the need we have not
got rid Of our false leaders and ideals
The American Army turned the scale OF
the war, but consider the waste of hu.
man life.