South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-07-07
new LEGION G. G.
PENS FIRST NOTE
TO HIS COMMAND
John G. Emery Urges Com
rades TO Carry On With
Calbraith Spirit.

John G.. Emery OF Grand Rapids.
Mich. the new national commander
of the American Legion. has
peace time record and a wartime
record that make e easy 20 under
stand why his selection was unop-
posed when the national executive
committee met 10 choose the suc-
cessor Of tho late Commander Gal
bYaith. Service 10 his native city,
service 20 his country. service 70 the
American Legion, these he had rem
dered 20 an extraordinary degree
before tho iegion'E leadership was
vested in him.
Commander Emery was born IN
Grand Rapids IN 1881, and July
Fourth this year was his 10th
birthday anniversary. He entered
the second officers training camp at
Fort Sheridan, H., Aug 27, 1917,
was commissioned a captain OF in
fantry and was ordered overseas
Nov. 9th. He attended various
schools in France and was Subse-
quently assigned 20 the 18th infan.
try. fret division. He commanded
r company Of this regiment in the
Montdidier-Noyo and the Aisre-
Marine offensives and was promoted
major Sept. /. 1915. taking COM
mand Of the first battalion OF the
18th infantry Mai. Emery was Sc
verely wounded by shell FIRE on Oct.
Q. 1918. during the MeuFe-Argonne
Offensive. While convalescing he
was returned 90 the United States.
and was discharged from hospital
and from the army on March 81,
1912.
Commander Emery was an active
leader inorganizing the department
OF Michigan OF the American Le-
gion. Re Ia a member Of tho Carl
A. Johnson post Of Grand Rapids.
He became a member Of the Michi-
gan department executive commit
tee. and at the Cleveland national
convention last September he was
made one Of tho five national Vice
commanders. He served on the
special committee OF the American
Legion which last year framed INC
legion's four-fold adjusted comper-
sation bill, which was embodied in
the Fordney bill. now pending IN
congress.
Commander Emery has been en-
gaged in the real estate business In
Grand Rapids He was president o.
the city commission composed OF
seven members. which governs
Grand Rapids. and ne has resigned
this local post Of leadership to take
up the national leadership q the
legion. Commander Emery is also
president of the First Division club
Of Grand Rapids. He is married
and has two children.
Here is Commander Emery's first
communication 10 his command.
My Comrades:
A smooth sea does not breed a
sldiful sailor. Strong charac-
ters and righteous causes take
new strength and purpose from
adversely. under which weak
characters and weak causes would
succumb and disappear.
The American Legion has eX-
perienced it's baptism Of fire. u
energies. crushed with grief. but
serenely confident of its new
strength. ssrenely proud Of tho
place &c holds I'm the hearts OF the
nation as reflected by the nation
al honor paid the memory OF our
late iuustrious leader BY the
manner in which the legion with
stood the shock of its recen; IT.
rcparable loss it has shown itself
the worthy champion Of the lofty
ideals 70 has espouscd
The circumstances under which
greet YOU as national comman-
der make my heart heavy. My
only thought had been to con-
tInue as an humble Lieutenant IN
the service OF the great leader
who was taken from as b. m in
eNplcabIe act of God. accept
the responsibilities which have
come 20 me with deep and