The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-07-06
American Legion Posts VIII Have
Charge of'ceremonies Which
viii Take Place Next No
venber.
TRIBUTE TO BE PAID
National Commander of the Legion
Urges That Day be Made Memoir
able One This
Year.

! INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, July g.
Under arrangements just completed
with the war department, the Amerf-
can Legion becomes the instrument
for distribution of the victory
medals which the government
lis presenting to every American
soldier, sailor, marine, field clerk or
nurse who served honorably for any
period between April 6, 1917, and
Nov. II, 1918.
The presentations will take place
! on Armistice day in series or slmul-
taneous ceremonies to be held under
Legion auspices throughout the
world, making possible stupendous
celebration which is destined TO
ECLIPSE anything of the kind ever De-
fore attempted in the United States.
The Legion hopes to make the event
of November II the GROWING teature
of the greatest of all Armistice days
the most impressive and memorable
patriotic function in which Amel-
cans ever participated and one ae-
signed to live in history as an epochal
milestone in the nations life.
1t is planned that nj only men,
bers of the Legion, but d. ex-service
persons and the next of kin Of those
who died or lost their lives in battle,
will Join their comrades and their
countrymen in a united tribute to the
spirit of America and the anniversary
! of the day in 1918 which marked that
spirits supreme achievement.
| Pride in Victory.
eft is not with vanity but with
wholesome pride in the triumph c1
our arms in the most crucial test OF
strength in history" writes Franklin
D'Olier, national commander of The
Legion. in a letter to all department
off Gals urging enthusiastic partlc1pa-
ition in the celebration, that the
Legion appeals to all Americans to
make our 1920 Armistice day me nor
able throughout the years to come.
I'VE want it to be a tribute, above
all else, to our country and our nag
and the flags of our heroic allies In
a still higher sense, it should pc
solemn. affectionate dedication Of oui
lives to the principles for which more
than 100000 of our conntrymen ana
millions of our comrades in arms
made the supreme and final sacrifice.
The Legion since it is the splendid
youth who served America because
they loved America can appropriate
" take the initiative IN this move
ment And because the Legion Is
true and representative cross-sect1o1
: of our national citizenship, 1t IS con
e fident that Americans generally VII
q wholeheartedly cooperate TO maEt
o the celebration a success.
l. Blanks for Medals.
Q Briefly, the tentative plans contem
d plate that commanders or Legion
c posts will procure a supply of appl1
n cation blanks with detailed lnstrut
e Itions for filling them out, from tn
nearest army post or recruiting sls
e. ton. Posts then will provide facll
il ties for having the application blank
il tvpewritten, certified by a notary put
n lie army officer of the regular mil
)r tarv establishment, and forwarded
id the war department. Persons wh
Of are to receive the medals will b
IS asked to give the delivery address
O. as in care of the commander Of tn
Of nearest Legion post, who will tax
Or charge of all such medals forwarde
so and arrange for appropriate dlstrlpl
ton on Armistice day. Individual
who receive medals direct from tn
government will be asked to plac
them in the custody of the post con
mander and participate with tn
dictionaries at the preSentauo
:, ceremonies. The functions, accordln
- to the plan, will be Of communlt
nature and details will be left to loo;
committees composed of Leslol
naires, public officials, business me
- and representatives of patriotic an
-'' a. oroanizatiOnS