New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-06-27

Spanish American War Veterans Stepping Along
Veterans Of All Wars "Buddies"

Veterans Of All Wars "Buddies'
Considerable historical informa-
ton was given by Kenneth F. Cram
er. department commander of the
American Legion, in the following
address:
With the exception of the ties Of
family one of the closest OF human
ties is that of comradeship. of q
comradeship begun in the training
camps, strengthened in the long
marches shoulder to shoulder. and
consummated on many hard
fought field. To have submitted to
the same discipline. shared the same
tent, eaten the same food, laughed
at the same amusing incidents of
army life, grieved over the same sor-
rows, feared the same fears, and
finally triumphed In the same cause,
creates bond of union that can
never be broken. 1t is these COM
mon experiences that have brought
the men of the Civil War. of the
Spanish American War and Of the
World War SO close together.
And while these ties are strong
est and rightly SO among the veter-
ans of any one war, there is also a
bond among the veterans of all wars,
the bond of service to a common
country in her hour of need. 1t
matters little whether one fought
with the manufacturing musket on
the field of Antietam or encountered
grape and canister and solid shot at
Gettysburg with Meade or Lee. or
charged at San Juan Hill with
fought at st. Mihiel and in the
Argonne against machine guns.
poison gas and long range cannon
while the conditions of service
varied much, 1t was all done for a
common country, these United States
OF America And SO, as a result Of
this common service there exists
among all veterans feeling of love
and affection. of admiration and re-
spect. And so, this day is happy
day for us, the veterans of the
World WARRIOR We are thus enabled
to see honor done and ourselves do
honor to our fellow comrades, the
fighting men of another generation,
the veterans of the Spanish-Amer-
lean War-honor so justly their due.
The greatest satisfaction that any
veteran can have is the satisfaction
of knowing that in his country's
hour Of need. he responded to her
call and did we'll his duty and that
satisfaction has been yours. my COM
rades, since the days of 1898. And
yet. you were no more than human if
you did not view this monument to-
day with a feeling of enhanced salts
faction for thus has the citizens of
New Britain manifested their appre-
citation for the services which you,
their fellow townsmen. have render
ed. And this monument will ever
serve as reminder of ami an inspir-
alton TO the future generation TO
emulate your heroic deeds.
Nothing could be more appropri-
ate than this replica of Moro Castle
or Ell Castillo de los Santos Reyes
(he castle OF the sacred kings). as
the Spaniards called it, standing as
it did at the entrance OF the harbor
of Havana, the last principal Span
ish city in the west. During the lat
ter years OF the sixteenth century.
Sir Francis Drake. half patriot and
halt free bootar, that scourge of
Spain was cruising in American wa
ters. HIS had taken Cartagena and
late in May, 1885, appeared of Ha-
vana. Whether the defense prepAra-
tions impressed him with their
strength, or whether, as has been
said. his forces had been depleted
with scurvy and yellow fever, OF
whether he hesitated to risk the cap
tives and the plumber already secur-
ed, in any event he sailed away
threatening TO return In due course
and take the city. Phillip III. then
monarch of Spain. alarmed at this
threat, in 1888. commissioned Juan
Baltis,a Atonelli, an Italian en-
gineer, to construct a harpor de-
tense that would withstand any pir-
atical attack. The fortress as conf
plcted in 1897 was almost facsimile
OF that curious little castillated fort
ress erected at Lisbon, Portugal. in
ll4o by the Moorish coaquerors to
guard the mouth of the Tangus
river,
Conn. Mo At Havana in 1862.
And although many Of you may