Evening star., 1922-01-04
IVETERANOF THREE
/ FLAGS TAKESEASE
Matias Wenger, Aged 81, En-.
ters Soldiers Home After
Varied Military Career.

Matias Wenger, who served at diff
ferent times under the French. Brit
ish and American flags, and proud
possessor of seven honorable dis
charges, four of which are from the
United States government. arrived
yesterday at the Soldiers Home. form
ing one Of the most notable additions
to the 1000 already being cared for
there. Mr.. Wenger Is eighty-one years
old and in good heal,n.
Mr.. Wenger was born February "a,
1888. in small village in Alsace-Lor
raine, France. He was educated In
the schools of that section. and, upon
reaching the age of twenty-one, en-
tered a term of seven years in the
army. as required by the French mill
emperor Of the French. The seven
years of. service took Mr.. Wenger
through different parts OF France ana
Algiers.
During this time he became a
musician and was placed In various
his seven-year enlistment term ex-
pired. and after receiving his firsi
honorable discharge, he re-eniisteo
! voluntarily. While in Algiers he re-
ceived q pair of cuff buttons bearing
two gold French coins stamped WIN
the portrait of Napoleon III. He stu
possesses them. Receiving dis
charge in 1871, he returned home with
his wife, Madeleine Feasser, trencn
subject whom he married in Algiers
Later he went to Paris. Where he
served for two years as a sendarme
or policeman. He later worked In a
railroad shop.
EmIgrnted From France.
In 1878, Mr.. Wenger and his wife
emigrated to Canada He enlisted IN
a Canadian regiment under the Brit
militia band. The climate being toe
cold for MIR. Wenger after his serv,
| ice in Africa, he come to the United
States after receiving his discharge
and entered the Marine Band in this
city.
He played here for about three years
going to the Centennial exposition IN
Philadelphia, in 1876, playing through.
out the entire engagement. In the band
at that time were fifty-five men.
Receiving a discharge. Mr.. Wenger
entered the United States Navy. serving
as a bugler on the receiving ship sta
toned at the navy yard here. He later
| was discharged from the service on
that vessel and re-enlisted. this time
serving on the old Powhatan. After
receiving his discharge he went to Ne"
York city, where he for the last time
enlisted. this time in the Army. joining
the band of the Sd Artillery at Fort
Hamilton, N. Y. In 1880 he received his
discharge from the Army and went to
Meridian, Conn.,, where he worked foI
forty years in shop.
Asks Admission to Home.
His eyesight becoming slightly i'm
paired 8 few weeks ago. a friend in the
;hop told him that he was eligible for
the Soldiers Home in Washington
where he would be taken care Of. After
applying for admission. which was
granted, Mr.. Wenger arrived here yes
terday after an absence Of more than
forty years.
In an interview this morning Mr.
Wenger expressed his surprise at the
growth of the nations capital and voiced
his delight with the conditions at the
home 'It is better than l expected.
he said, land l know that an old soldier
like me will be taken care Of and given
every comfort Why, even the food is
good" he chuckled.
Mr.. Wenger stated that as far as he
knew all his relatives were dead. His
wife died in 1913. II haven't heard from
anybody for so long that l guess they
have all died. Even if / got a letter
now I couldn't read it. I am sorry that
| couldn't get in the last war, but my
am glad to see Alsace back with the
French again. The call for dinner
then sounded at the home and the vete-
ran follower of the tri-color, the union
jack and the Stars and Stripes slowly
made his way ito the mess hall, eager
to participate in Army chow.