The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-06-24
Am riCan
70!IS9al!SSee'

On June ii the Legion national ,A--..-
tive committee, meeting in indianapolis,
elected John G. Emery as Legion Ma
/ tional commander. Commander Emery
held the office of national vice-comman-
der His home was in Grand Rapids
Michigan. He was wounded in the
Meuse-A rgonne offensive. Thomas ].
Bennington Of Hartford. Connecticut
was elected legion national vice-com-
mander in his place. In his first state
| ment National Commander Emery said.
1.-THE circumstances under which / as
sumo the office of rational commander
weigh my heart with grief. My most
nne ee sn W09d haye been to
service of that great leader who was
taken from us by an inexplicable act of
responsibilities as he would have borne
than-for tie greater glory Of our coun-
| try.
what believe to be the greatest service
the American Legion has rendered our
country. | would say that it has been
mandate of its constitution. which has
instilled in the hearts of former service
men and women sense of individual
nation. 1t is the determination of the
legion to emphasize always q more vivid
conception by each citizen of his per-
sonal obligation of service to his coun-
try.
1.-The American Legion will continue
until every man who gave his health
and strength in the service of his coun-
try is adequately. and generously previd-
precedence over all other considerations
Of the American Legion. When they
have been cared for. the Legion will ad.
its full energies to the task Of
| reason of military or naval service.
"The legion fve-fold adjusted COM
penSation bill now before congress rep
resents the payment of just and ac-
knowledged obligation the country owes
to those who have served it. 1t is a
resource at its command, will work to
have repaid by action of the present,
congress. 1t is vital to our security that
individual loyalty. bravely given, it
stands willing to accord individual JUS
tice to those who have served it,"
When Judge Eli Torrance. national
Republic. began his address at the dedi-
Minneapolis on June 18th. he turned to-
toward the ranks of overseas veterans and
extended a, greeting to the American
misted the Priceless jewel Jew I Of represent eS
tative government regulated by law.
You must remain steadfast and un-
hatred and malice may devise to under
mine and destroy the heritage for which
you so nobly fought and in defense of
which so many of your heroic comrades
| poured out the warm blood of their
youthful hearts
Hartford MacNider. commander of the
American Legion of Iowa, said in part.
Lowing hands. will care for this living
memorial to the dead, the hands of
Minnesotans for generations to come.
these trees find typified the spirit of
America; and as they grow. so will the
memory of these men and women who
died in the cause of liberty. To all true
Americans these trees will be a smbol
of the bravery and devotion with which
| these men laid down their lives that we
have had an example set us by. the
Grand army of the Republic, and if we
live up to that example and to the ideals
of these men who lost their lives no
man need fear for the future of Amer
| lea"
nouve1ie sad po not think nj That
| France will ever forget. No Frenchmen
will ever forget that the sons of Mime,
sofa and Of America died for him and
the American soldiers will always be re-
membered on our Memorial Day. whwen
we nOnOr cur own heroes. france prayS
| for you as she does for her own chill
dren. We have beauty in our country
but nothing more beautiful than this
driveway will be and no sons more
brave, more fitted to receive its dedica-
! ton in their honor
Congressman Royal G. Johnson of
South Dakota, speaking at the Victory
Memorial Way dedication. paid tribute
| to the late Commander +. w. Gafbraith,
saying, II wish that you knew of the
great heart of Commander Galbraith and
/ of some of the things he felt about the
war and the sacrifices which those who
died made. He thought of the men who
came home on the last transports, slow
ly moving transports, carrying men who
could not see the flag. They were met
| by few, but they were met by the spirit
| of the American Legion all over this
country. 1t is that spirit which moves
this city when it prepares and dedicates
this driveway in their memory"
State Commander A. H. Vernon has
| issued to all Legion posts the official
call for the Third Annual Minnesota
Legion Convention at Winona August.
1-2-3. 1921. Each post may send two
delegates and two alternates and one
additional delegate and alternate for
ech 100 paid-up members or major frac-
| ton thereof. Reduced railroad rates
are being secured and Winona citizens
will go the limit to furnish the delegates
the time of their lives.
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