Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-03-30
@Gs OF WAUsAU

tivities from the earliest times and al
ways it has reflected credit on the
good name of Wausau. There has
never been time since its beginning
that this unit has not taken place
among the very foremost of the vari-
Gus units of the Wisconsin National
guard. It's part in the civil war and
the Spanish American var was such
as to give the citizens of it's home
town a feeling of sincere pride, fully
justified. In the great war Just passed
it added new and increased laurels to
its credit. Upon the completion of
the great war and the disbanding of
the various state units, that had been
federalized, then came up the duty of
reforming our Wisconsin National
guard Company "G' was to be a
part of this organization and no other
city could justly be its home other
than Wausau
AS is entirely natural, there was
some difficulty in recruiting the unit
to recognized strength. Many of the
young men in the city who had seen
service during the past three years
felt that they were justly entitled to a
furlough, and others were tired of mil
itary service. However this did not
minimize the fact that Wisconsin had
to have National Guard and that in
this organization Wausau had to up
hold its reputation and maintain time
honOred company "G' officers were
duly appointed. Captain Fred Beck
er was the logical choice to head this
unit. His experience in military af-
fairs had been wide, his loyalty to mis-
city, state, and country had many
times been proven, and his friendships
including a wide circle of men from
all ranks. His two lieutenants were
chosen with the same happy and for
tunate discrimination. Lieut. McLen-
non and Lieut.. Robertson are men
who had served with Company &C. as
men in the ranks. They knew its ira
ditions, and had nobly helped to up
hold them in France. Their ability
and courage had been recognized in
France where they were promoted to
be officers from the ranks. 1t is to
these three men that Wausau is prin-
cipally indebted for the return of Com |
pany &C." as a distinctly wausau or
in which the citizens can
continue to take great pride.
At first the outlook was gloomy.
Radical elements of the citys popula- |
ton were most active in agitating
against it, because it was an institu- |
ton DESIGNED alone to uphold law and |
order The great majority of people |
had other things that occupied their |
attention and Company CO. suffered |
as consequence. But the courage |
and unftinching loyalty, the sense of |
duty as well as of pride that all three |
officers had, kept them steadily at |
work with the result that Company |
u again went lover the top" and |
reached its objective" in a manner |
that even the most optimistic could |
not have wished for, three months
ago.
1t was on the evening of March 26 |
last, that the bells at the Court House
tower and the bells at the fire sta
ton announced that the full quota
had been reached-100 per cent of 100 |
per cent Americanism One hundred |
and seventeen men applied for enlist
ment IN the Company, seventeen more |
than the maximum and twenty-seven |
more than the minimum necessary to
gain federal recognition. A few of |
these must be disqualified due to sta
tus as members of the Regular Ar
my or the Reserves, or because
Of. failure to pass various physical
tests, or for other reasons. But
Company G is now a fact. with
more men on its roll than it had
hoped to gain. Federal recognition
is now assured. which means in
creased pay to the men, and many adj
led good features.
The fact that Company G has been |
assured to Wausau is due, as has been
said. to the excellent leadership and /
courage Of its officers.
They worked untiringly. But it would
be unjust not to mention the fine spirit
and hard efforts of the many who
helDed them. To Company sc" it.
self goes much credit. for its tradi-
tons and its history. the part it has |
played in this community during the
past years as well as it's present men,
bership, have all been some of the
strongest aids in bringing it back Gin
TO is own" The efforts, the actions
of such organizations as the |
Crazy Club and the Kort Club. make |
further comment as to their credit in |
this, entirely Unnecessary. 1t is Just |
such young men as these. who make
up the staunch. red-blooded American
type, the kind ready to fight with all |
the power that is in them for what |
they believe is right. who believe in |
America, and know that no other coun-
fry offers or has ever offered each in |
dlvidual a greater opportunity for self |
and acknowledgements, |
such men as these who compose the |
of Company &C" The |
aid Of many business men and promi- |
nent citizens was invaluable.
Company &c" is again back with |
Wausau as It's home Tt has the finest |
body III members to be had. 1t has |
glorious traditions to uphold and a
city filled with pride at its achieve |
ments. With the leadership it has,
with the membership of which it is |
composed, its success in the future is