Norwich bulletin., 1920-01-28
FOREIGN WAR VETS
 GATHER AT HARTFORD
Especial to The Bulletin.)

Hartford, Jan. 28.-Veteran Connec- ticut officers of Auerica's foreign wars gathered in Hartford last night for the annual dinner and colnHneIno- rative celebration of the Connecticut Commandery, Military Order of For eign Wars of the United States. More than 400 members of the connandery and prominent civilian guests were present at the dinner at the Hartford Club. The success of the reunion of former officers was such that it will rank as the most important military and patriotic function of the winter in Connecticut
 Officers who served under the Stars and Stripes in the war with Spain, in the Nicaraguan and Vera Cruz. cam paigns and on the Mexican border in 1916 mingled with veteran officers of the World War, who made up ma jority of those present at the annual dinner, and in their uniforms of khaki with the decorations of the American and foreign governments on the breasts of many, made up an inspir- ing military picture. Side by side with the army khaki was the blue of the navy and the distinctive uniform of the Marine Corps, together with frequent touches of formal. evening dress worn by the civilian guests.
 Instrumental music ana singing en- livened the dinner, following which was a program of admirable speeches Major General Clarence R. Edwards former commander and idol of the Twenty sixth 6Yankee) Division, was the toastmaster. The speakers were:
 Lieutenant Colonel Hugh L. Ogden, formerly judge-a advocate of the Forty second (Rainbow) division.
 Major Evarts Tracy. formerly com mander of the Fortieth Engineers who personally supervised all camou- hage work in France.
 Brigadier General Samuel w. Foun- tain (retired)z of Devon, Pa, West Point graduate, Civil war veteran, In- dian fighter, veteran officer of the war with Spain and now commander gen eral of tho Foreign Wars Order
 Captain J. B. Timmons, representing the United States navy in behalf of Admiral J. H. Glennon, comThandant of the Third Naval district
 Brigadier General Lucien F. Burpee, Hartford.
 New Officers Elected.
 At the annual business meeting of the commandery, held earlier in the day at Memorial hall, State Library, officers were elected as follows: Com mander. Lieut.. Col James L. Howard distinguished service cross. Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre) Hartford vice commander, Lieut.. Col. Emerson c. Taylor, Hartford; secretary y-regis- trar, Capt. H. A. Giddings, U. S. ", Hartford: treasurer, Captain Lueius B. Barbour. Hartford; chaplain, Rev. Orrille A. Petty (Creix de Guerre) New Haven. Companions of the council and committee were elected representing the statewide member ship of the order.
 Following the business meeting, the veteran officers inspected the foreign wars historical collection of war rel, ics at the state library. The Connec- ticut Comfnandery is the founder of this collection, which is being gather ed for permanent preservation and ex- hibition by the Commandery with the co-operation of State Librarian George s. Goddard and the state library committee as a part of the Connecti- cut war records.
 The Connecticut Con1mandery Mill tary Order of Foreign Wars was char tered in 1896 it's period of greatest growth has been within the past year with the election of many war officers to membership.
 Those who. have held commissions in the army, navy or marine corps in
 
 ship as veteran companions, 7 and the direct descendants inzthe, male line of officers who have held such commits SionS in a foreign war are eligible for membership as hereditary compan- ions''
 From a membership of under 100 when America declared war on Ger many, the Connecticut Commandery has grown to over 400 members. The order has commentaries in majority of states in the Union. It is recog- nized by the United States govern ment and military authorities of for eign countries. It knows no distfnc- tion of politics or credits objects are patriotic and it's motives the pro motion of a truer and higher patriot ism.
 Captain H. A. Giddings. the, secre- tary registrar, whose address is 700 Main street, Hartford, predicted last night after the annual dinner the continued rapid growth of the com