New Britain herald., 1926-01-04
JACKSON INSTALLED LEGION COMMANDER
New Britain Man at Head Of
 State Organization

Harry C Jackson of this city was installed as state department com mandcr of tho Legon at tho Bur ritt Hotel Saturday night, Follow ing q dinner, Edward L. Kelly, past state department commander car ried out the installation ceremonies Of the American Legion officers and Miss Mary Coylc, past state depart ment president and national vice. president of the American Legion auxiliary, performed a similar duty with the installation of the auxil- iary officers,
 The retiring and incoming officers and large number of visiting guests and members Of the Ameri- can Legion. were entertained at dinner at the hotel at 6:15 o'clock after which the officers were induct- cd Into office. A reception and so- cial followed during which tho Ser cnaders entertained and an orchestra played selections.
 Mrs. Lucy Edwards. president Of the auxiliary. announced her ap- pointments of committee chairmen at the exercises. They were as fol- lows
 Reha bilitaton, Miss Mae Kennedy of Wallingford; child welfare, Mrs. Mary Crawford of Westport: CO., operation; Mrs. Gene Brundage Of Danbury; poppy, Mrs. A. J, Counter of Bristol; membership, Mrs. r. A. Smith Of Bridgeport: memorial, Mrs. Sydney Bard of Danielson: emblem, Mrs. Hilda Chidsey of East Haven District committee women are: First district, Margaret Fisher of Painville; second, Mrs. Carrie Payne of Bridgeport: third. Mrs John Reitter of Stratford; fourth Mrs. Beatrice Beckett of Danielsoni fifth, Mrs. William Palmer Of Mys' tic; sixth, Nettie Brace of Torring' ton; seventh, Mrs. George K. White of East Hampton.
 Commander Jackson in his ad dress, stated that the Legion officers have pledged themselves for tn year 1926, to increase by 20 per cen the membership and he asked al the members present to bear thi in mind for the coming year. Hi address follows:
 Commander Jackson spoke as fol lows:
 Members of the Legion. l ac cept this honor as your dnpartmen commander for 1926, with feelin of the keenest appreciation an cherish the hope that, with your as sistance, the American Legion | this dcpartme {, for the year c 1926, will be full of accomplish mcnts in reaching the goal of 1T creasing our membership, thereo! through it's members, render a 10 per cent service to our disable comrades and increase interest our Chid's Welfare program and more pronounced eXpoundment our Americanism program and, general a complete revival ot o' service to the community, state an nation. To all of this, pledge yo my earnest support and fullest et trgy, to this our program ot IT American Legion, it's auxiliary, 4o' and eight and forty.
 The birth Of the American l. zion can be traced quito definitely the hospitals in France, not far b hind the lines, where buddicS we convaloscing from wounds receive in action, and anxiousy loohil forward to the hour when tn could be returned to duty and
 the firing line, where the heart every soldier ionged to be. Fro these cots, side by side, maj thoughts were directed toward tn time, when all would be at home the war would be no more-lust memory of the days gone by. Ma of these boys remembered | stories of the Grand Army of [ Republic, and wildly recall the r triotism that met their comrades tha Spanish American war. Out this association of ideas came longing of buddies to get to-getf in years to come. Such ideas we bound to culminate in some assoc ton that would represent the m who fought in France, on the m seas, and those making ready home. for service abroad.
 The first caucus was called
 March Is, 1919, at the Amerlc club, in Paris, where there asse hled nearly 1000 delegates. rep scnting all branches of the serNi and all ranks. from doughhoY general. Lieutenant-Colone' Cla of the 35th division, was selected chairman and Lieutenant-Colonel w. Miller. vice. chairman, Lieut. ant-Colonc Wood as secretary. ] first duty devolving upon the cauc was the selection of name, out which, after great difficulty, Il chose the name The American