Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-24
High School Students
Hear. Gen. .Hersey
on Devens Camp.

Brig. Gen. Mark L. Hersey gave an
address to $50 boys from Waterville,
Lawrence. Oakland and WinsIow High
schools and Coburn Classical Institute
last evening at the American Legion
hail. on the subject OF the military
camp at Devcns. Gen. Herseys re-
marks were to give the boys an idea
OF the work the boys do during the
month they spend there. and he also
urged them to take advantage Of the
chance they had to get the best train
ing possible and to get recreation and
enjoyment as we'll.
Paul Julien. commander Of the local
post of the American Legion, intro
duced the speaker and the first part of
the geenrals talk was concerning the
program Of the camp life in 1921 when
he was in charge. He said the boys
were bound to benefit by the training
as it was OF a sort that would build up
the physical body Of every normal hey.
He said there were special corrective
courses for boys who We're are perfect
physically and he added to this state
ment that there are very few people
who are perfect physically.
General Hersey said that although
the work was steady throughout the
morning. there was plenty of chance
, for recreation in the afternoon, and he
said that every boy there last summer
gained on an average Of one pound a
week.
This takes into account" said the
general, laughing. "all of the fat boys
who were reduced"
The speaker told of the hundreds Of
letters of appreciation which had come
to the headquarters from parents
whose boys took the months training
course. He said that the boys were
taken in order of application and that
there was so selection since they had
installed the corrective training
courses.
Another benefit that is derived"
said General Hersey. lis that from
service to the colors. 1t is untold. The
inspiration that comes for this serv-
ice for the United States makes better
citizens. The good is intangible, but
ii is real"
The speaker affirmed that the boy
who takes this training course re-
ceives physical, spiritual and mental
development as we'll as character
training. 1t costs the boy not one
cent. The United States government
pays expenses from the time the boy
leaves home until the time he is back
again.
I'm return" Gen. Hersey declared.
you are giving the United States
better men, and a reserve for your
country in possible hour Of need"
At the end of his address General
Hersey asked the boys if they would
ask him some questions and some
one askel him to tell the program
for the day.
Gen. Hersey outlined the program
in ihe following manner: An early
breakfast then each forenoon spent
in various manoeuvers such as field
work and practice with field guns
After dinner came the alton
period with various games and prac-
tically every afternoon swimming
with each boy watched individually
to guard against danger.
After the general finished Fred
Macalary gave the boys instruction
concerning their application blanks
and he stated that the boys would
have to apply at once as only "a
boys would be eligible from Kenne-
bee county and only 10 in the first
preliminary course.
Following Mr.. Macalary's remarks
motion pictures showing the review
of the 26th division were shown.
General James w. Hanson, adju-
tant general of the state and Cap
tain William T. Hanley Of the Adju-
tant general staff were guests OF
the evening.