Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1931-10-01
<<*Dugout Dope"
(This column published weekly in the
interest of the Ex-service men OF
Rowan County,.

Inc AIleIlCdI LeSloll ID Lo" iioeoAJ'
and when our historian writes into the
archives the material gathered in De-
troit, it will stand revealed as the
greatest in the life of our ~organiza-
ton. Each year it grows greater and
more colorful, as the years multiply,
SO do the memberships, those com
rades of 1977-191S live less for the
future and more in the past, their
hearts yearn for the old carefree COM
radeships, they join the Legion and
attend the conventions, searching tor
hat memory that haunts, that buddy
they can't forget. Do they find him?
They do and HOW!
The Old North State has been sig
nally honored in this convention.
Henry L. Stevens, a native Tar Heel
living in the little town of Warsaw,
was elected National Commander
without a roll call, an unprecedented
procedure, the youngest man ever to
serve, the only subaltern ever to be
elected, and the first truly Southern
man we so honored. Henry, gifted
with the silver tongue SO often at
tributed to less worthy individuals, has
swayed State conventions with his
magnetic power of speech, but he was
practically unknown outside OF his
native Tarheelia. Then came his cleo
ton by reclamation, now the farther
est reaches of this far flung nation
have men who talk of that youthful
silvery tongued orator, who in his
speech of acceptance wrung tears
from the eyes of hard boiled soldiers,
cheers from the mouths of men
North, South, East and West, and
wrapped his personality around the
hearts of all who were fortunate en-
ough to hear him. One year hence
Henry Stevens will be better known
than many presidents, better loved
than he ever dared hope for.
Salisbury and the Samuel c. Hart
Post shared honors in Detroit through
the Escort. The North Carolina de-
partment following New Hampshire,
stepped off in parade, seventh in the
line of march, headed by the Winston
band, followed by Greensboro, then
came the ladies Auxiliary of Charlotte.
who by request of the Escort headed
Salisbury's own. The music section i'm
mediately behind the ladies, followed
by the Flag section, stepped off with
drums beating a snappy march that
was never silenced in the seven miles
of march. AS they stepped out, drums
beating, flags flying, heads up and
feet lifting to the rhythm of the
drums, there was never a thought of
stopping, never a falter. On down the
broad avenues of Detroit, packed SOL
idly on each side with a wall of hu-
mainly who rose in mighty waves to
applaud and salute the Parade of the
Allies, as represented by the Escort.
On down the long avenues marched
the Escort, the crowds grew more
dense, applause reverberated in the
canyons of Woodward avenue, made
by tall buildings on each side, each
building with the population of small
city in its windows, on to the City
Hall where the reviewing stand was
located, where were massed the great
est throngs on the line of march.
Here the Post Banner and the N. c.
flag was dipped in salute to the not
ables, here was received the greatest
accolade from the spectators. Movie
and news cameras clicked recording
for posterity the color and sound of
the mightiest host ever to march in
an American city, one hundred thou
sand men and women, marching in
quick step sixteen abreast for eight
hours and forty minutes past the re-
viewing stand, through living walls
of applauding men and women, two
million strong. The Escort was paid
in full for the time, money and eff
fort expended, their hearts full, their
thoughts saddened only by the
knowledge that some of the original
faithful members had been unable to
attend through business or family
cares o. imperative to lay aside.
Standing on the sides lines watching
that vast spectacle Of marching men,
from Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania
and all the sister states flow by, until
the evening shadows fell bringing the
first contingents of Michigan, great
est numerically of all that great
throng, the lights switched on and
still they marched until the last line
of men passed before the reviewing
stand at nine forty P. M. Then ano
then only, did the ma of humanity
watching this awe inspiring show Of
man power, break up and start home
ward, stunned by the immensely o1
it all. Watching hat never ending
lfow of marching men swinging dowr
the avenue, heads up, shoulders back