Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-06
STATE PRESENTS SWORD
TO EIGHTIETH'S CHIEF
Troops of Three Hundred and Seventeenth Assemble
Witness Ceremony on Capitol Steps-Major-
General Cronkhite Speaks


hundred and Seventeenth massed in
| front OF the south entrance to the
| capitol and hundreds - civilians oil
/ tho steps and at either side of the en-
/ yesterday afternoon presented TO
! MaJor-General Cronkhite on behalf OF
the people OF Virginia magnificent
sword with few brief sentences ex-
| pressing his assurance that II would
/ never be drawn in any but righteous
cause.
General Cronkhite received the sword
and passed il to his chief of staff. Col
/ onel w. H Waldron. His speech OF
| acceptance follows:
Governor Davis. and Citizens of the
| State OF Virginia:
can not express to you my ap-
| probation of the great honor YOU have
| conierred upon me, as commander of
your Eigh,ieth Division throughout
us active military life.
CONNIE Grating. as it does. the re-
neaee. trust that This sword i may o
Symbolize tho might and will Of these
United States to enforce and MAIN
tam the rights so dearly won.
"a A A. tss, az year ago to day. land
/ ments OF your division. Today. | am
returning the division TO YOU, as fine
axe oods s.s %, men men and lighting men a,
whence. as recorded in the history OF
every war in which the Mother Coun-
G 6ry mas taken part: so many great
say | am returning tho division
10 YOU but alas. ! am not returning
,nose heroes whose lives were given
purpose for which we fought: nor am
/ returninS TO you. as God intended
man mar should i,1, be. many Others who bear,
badge OF battle. fully appreciate.
as keenly share. the grief OF those
Ter the most poisnant sorrow for those
VINO never will return; and others
who srieve and Yet rejoice, that God
las spared their dear ones, whatever
their battle scars
Passed Through He'll.
81 am returning to YOU BODY Of
men VINO have passed through the very
he'll OF war-a body OF men who more
race. and who have been chastened
by ia body OF men who have been
subjected TO the best in military dis
nave learned 10 obey unQuestionngly.
when obedience meant death-a BODY
OF men who have lived and suffered
and fought in distant chimes for the
greatest object for which man ever
fought.
potential influence in the communities
which can only be for the good. They
do do no, fully realize how This train
their, conduct in every vocation in life
1T viii not be striking. 1t will not be
return has passed. and normal life is
definitely. established, it will be evil
dent in Difference, in courtesy. in re-
spect. in UNFOLDING the right and in
a pronounced spirit OF true patriotism.
We are returning TO YOU as we left.
quietly and modestly. We are return
in battle, seriously realizing tho i'm
| portance OF the purpose of our exist
cnce as division, but sincerely thank
full that this purpose has been ac-
| no
measure that we may once more lay
aside , me bur, Of battle and may
long and who likewise belong to us.
! Decentralization OF Wnr.
To you, as 10 me, tho Eightieth
Division Is the very personifcati ton OF
the war. 1t contains your sons. your
brothers. your cousins. the best you
have. rendered freely 10 the nation, to
be sacrificed on the Altar OF Freedom.
s sn9aid nef i,ssity demand Il. has
and the Mother States of the Eightieth
oiris.on nave good reason TO be proud
81 the r.. sons IN toliowins It's slogan.
forward il never failed TO accomplish
rs objective. 1t learned how 10 night,
how s1F to Kin WIZ 1Tao in 6 6sns Nsa s
sofar as this was humanity possible
within it's limited experience
Associated with j, from its very
ons %s. e can nnd say TO SheR co 5nrs
have been done for lis betterment i
can stand before you proudly. with
science; can look any parent squareIy
in the eye. and state that no life was
ever sacrifced save when this was
necessary In the accomplishment OF a
II state this in justification Of the
trust you reposed In me; when you
and even to sacrifice those whom
know only too we'll were your dearest
on earth. these sons OF the mothers Of
Virginia. OF West Virginia and OF
Pennsylvania.
One of Many Divisions.
Remember that your division was
only one OF many combat divisions,
constituting the vast horde formed for
the annihilation OF the enemy. and in
Nolv!ng beside the endless activities
with which you are familiar at homo
the purchase. manufacture and sup
ply of the requisites for war--a ma
chine OF equal extent in the field OF
action II was essential that this ma
chine should function with absolute ac-
curacy and precision, for upon It's
eHactness depended life. as well as sue
cess,or defeat. Even we combatants
could hardly appreciate the vastness
and the iniricac!cs Of this ina chine: but
Us eihc!ency. when It's varied activities
We're co-ordlnated by proper staff team
WORK, was never challenged
From within this vast maze your
DIVISION always shone resplendent upon
the completion OF every operation IL
never failed 10 earn special citation
in orders for the successful accomplish
nent or every task. Cited as well
through its division comma nder 10th
by the American and the French gov
crnments, IL would seem that its deeds
had received the worthy reward for
service well rendered
Entering into every operation In
which the first American army was IN
VOWED, it's battle flags bear record OF
us honorable service, and IL mas az
well the distinction of being the only
division called upon three times TO
enter the greatest battle In American
history--the Meuse- Argonne offensive
Many Individual Recordn.
1T would be useless TO call to YOUR
attention individual facts Of personal
hcroiSm. many OF which have been e.
hcially recognized by the award of
( lasting testimonials. IL would like
Wise be an Injustice TO other comrad.s