Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1923-03-02
Troop "A" Holds
Big General Meeting
To Get New Members

A rousing meeting was held At
the Armory Wednesday night when
Troop A entertained the American
Legion. citizens and young men OF
the city at = sumptuous dinner.
The purpose Of the meeting was to
eacourage enlistments in the Ma
ttonal Guard In anticipation Of .
Aumber OF the present members
leaving the organization within .
aAort time.
Under the capable direction OF j.
-. Fuller. who acted as toastmaster.
. number of speeches were made
following the dinner.
willis Fassett spoke on Some Of
the needs of National Guard
military force" Mr.. Fassett Is q
nember of Troop A and is ever
ready to do whatever he is called
upon in a civic way. whether on city
council. fire department or any
ether public enterprise.
II. E. Lague very highly COM
paimented the personnel of Troop A
~ men OF the highest type and
urged the young men to Join the
organization. not only for their
physical Improvement but as a pat
riotic duty to their government He
assured the young men that they
would In later years look back upon
their military service with q feeling
Of justifiable pride.
Jesse Stephenson. in his speech.
said In part: Military trainin.
makes real men. II we knew there
would never be another war. still
should say. Get military training for
the discipline and benefit to the In
dividunl' would rather wear the
American uniform In a war than Any
other honor which could be confer
rcd upon me-
DIR. Skinner received great ap-
plause when he said. II have but one
country. one flag and one language.
and that is America. Following. the
speaker said that to belong to the
National Guard in this country IL
purely matter OF defense. That
IL why Germany did not win In the
worlds war: that country's military
purposes were not OF defense. but OF
aggression and aggrandixement.
In introducing the next speaker.
George N. Corl.tt. to the assembly.
Mr.. Fuller took occasion to mention
some OF the things Mr.. Corictt had
done In military service. In organ
ising the troop here and In securing
the armory building. Mr.. Corlctt
70 an enthusiast In military sffaffs
bat he asks no one TO do something
that he himself would not do. The
MAJORS speech placed clearly before
bis listeners the meager strength of
the military forces Of the United
States NJ this time. He stated that
vs have n regular army Of $4,000
men hut these are 30 scattered that
we have only about $4,000 men
available for internal or external
trouble. The National Guard IL q
part Of the first line Of defense and
the men are qualified by this train.
ing to take official positions IN case
OF var. Mr.. coriett said. This part
Of Colorado enjoys = very good repu.
tation In military Affairs. Troop d,
organized here many years ago vas
rated ~ tho best trained troop II
tie state and the town numbered
oaly 400 people at that time. Nov,
Troop A has . good name through.
ost the Eighth army corps and also
at washington." The major cioseA
With an earnest appeal to the youns
nsa 70 Join the troop.
Following the spsakiag. Llsutss.
AIT Ptssrs ~ recruiting officer sov
Troop 4. rscsivsd sMllstmsat aDpli.
eatioas froa ths followiae: fhso-
aors Phye. Theodore Hoilssman,
THEODORE knisht- Fred Duran and
JoAn 0rosvenor. TIE halaaes Of
tAe evening was devoted 70 wrset.
Ing snl boxing between we'll match.
- pain of the boys prsssat.
Lieut.. Peters says the general
DuAiie 70 always cordially Welcome
- attsal he regular drills Of tAs
Hpaa NA1IA ~. ~ Svuv1 SA0so;
1Ay nigAe.