The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-11-18


 THOMAS J. BANNIGAN
 are receiving compensation for dis abilities resulting from their ser- vice in the war
 While the Government is striv- ing effectively to care for those men and women who returned from their war service sick and disabled, and will as the years come on, do all within its power to see that they are provided for, there is an in- dividual duty on the part of each of us, at the present time, and will continue as we grow older, to see that this work is continued, not only for the veterans, but for his dependents as we'll
 Close to 60,000 of Connecticut's sons answered the call to arms in the World War; almost 20o0 of whom were killed in action and A. 900 were wounded. At the Veter- ans Administration in Newington we handle the cases of those Con- necticut veterans who saw war ser- vice and were wounded.
 Pension cases of Spanish Amer ican veterans, and certain peace time veterans, are handled by our Central Office in Washington.
 Actual compensation and pension payments to World War Veterans and their dependents from July 1, 1884, June 30, 1885, totalled $2,729.- 634.70. The annual expenditure in Connecticut therefore approXimated two and three quarter millions of dollars. This amount was paid to 5648 veterans or their dependents Since July 1, 1885 there has been expended a total of $880, ,456.4 40 or an average of $220, per month. In the State of Connecticut, 6577 men are insured with the Government amounting to $34,742973. Since March 1, 1881 to Oct. l, 1895, we made loans on the Adjusted Serv. Certificates, commonly known as the bonus, in the amount of $l3,494,- 574.65 to 3l525 veterans.
 Newington
 Our Veterans Hospital at Newing- ton is general medical and sur- gical hospital and we take care of our sick and disabled comrades from all over New England. This hos pital was opened less than five years ago and since that time over 5000 veterans have received medical and surgical care and treatment within Its walls. The Veterans Ad- ministration Is operating approxim- ately seventy-eight hospitals in va rious parts of the United States These hospitals are of three classes one for tubercular patients, one for neuropsychiatric or mental cases and one for general medical and surgical cases. Our hospital in New ington cares for no tubercular or mentally disturbed cases, except in temporary emergencies.
 We have just passed through an- other Armistic Day. Seventeen years may seem long time in the life of an individual, but in the life time of a nation that is a compar- atively short period. Seventeen years ago, when the Armisticc was signed was an occasion of rejoic- ing among all of the nations of the world, for everywhere 1t was felt that a war to end wars had at last been ended. Yet this lesson foi permanent peace has failed. Hu- man nature has changed little, and every day since that time there has been sufficient reason and warning for the urgent need of constant pre- paredness. I fail to see how there can be any justification for paci- ism. In fact, I firmly believe those who are most seriously for peace are the ones upon whom we are ob- liged to depend in war. They have tasted the painful side of 1t. To them 1t is something more than merely the waving of flags and the playing of bands. They fought and died for peace. Let's not break with them now.
 Human Nature
 Those Americans who sincerely think that by abolishing all mili- tary training and doing away with our regular army and navy, we should contribute toward world peace, simply do not know history and world conditions.
 Human nature has not changed since the World War. War is still battle of strong against weak What America needs is adequate preparation, for we shall remain at peace only as long as we are pre- pared.
 After seventeen years, many of the countries engaged in the World War are preparing for another war, per- haps greater war. There is an- other call to service, requiring more faith, courage and loyalty. We must be watchful against groups trying to break down our institutions We must have grit and backbone. Il is up to us to keep America Amer ican.
 I want to invite the members oi the D A V and the other veteran organizations to continue to render the splendid spirit of cooperation that has been manifested in tht