Evening star., 1936-07-17
SECOND DIVISION
VETERANS HONOR
UNKNOWN SOLDIER
Prepare Dedication of Own
World War Memorial
Tomorrow.
CAPT. LOUIS CUKELA
PUTS WREATH AT TOMB
Informal "Get.Togethers' Mark
Program-Gen. ]. A. Lejeune
Greeted on Arrival.

Second Division Association as tney
prepared to dedicate tomorrow after
noon an imposing memorial to their
own World War dead.
Capt. Louis Cukela, U. S. c., now
stationed at Quantico, who is the re-
cipient Of two Congressional Medals
of Honor, was selected to place the
wreath on the tomb Of the Unknown
Soldier in simple ceremonies shortly
before noon.
Meanwhile, veterans OF this famous
division, which suffered greater cas-
ualties and took more artillery and
machine guns than any other. have
gathered from all sections of the
United States and several foreign
countries for their eighteenth annual
reunion, opening yesterday. with
headquarters at the Willard Hotel.
Few formalities mark the reunion,
outside Of the ceremonies at Arlington
today and the dedication tomorrow
of the new memorial near Consti-
tuition avenue and Seventeenth street.
Many Informal Meetings.
In small and large groups, the vet
erans had many different "get-to-
gethers," as they were officially listed
on the program. Most of the time
Of the reunion is given over to these
opportunities for the men to promote
and maintain the comradeShip
and spirit engendered by active serv-
ice with the End Division"
Tontohf for iY1Sfonca the rooIIla r
program provides for another gen
eral get-together" in the ball room
of the Willard Hotel. Music will be
furnished by an orchestra of the U. S.
Army Band.
Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, one of
the three A. z. F. commanders Of the
End Division, arrived last night from
Virginia Military Institute, Of which
he now is superintendent. He was
met at Union Station by Col George
A. Herbst, national secretary of the
End Division Association, and a
large group of friends and admirers,
including alumni Of v. M. I.
Harbord Due Today.
Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord, chair
man of the board Of the Radio
Corp. Of America, who commanded
the End Division and was chief Of
staff of the A. E. F., was expected
to arrive early today to participate
in the ceremonies. He will deliver
the dedication address at the me-
mortal.
Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy, the first
commander Of the division, has been
Ill at Walter Reed Hospital and Is
not expected to be able to participate
Elaborate preparations are being
completed for the dedication cere-
monies which start at 2 pm. Repre-
sented at the occasion will be three
armed forces Of the Government which
took part actively in the I'd Division
the Army. Navy and Marine Corps.
Appropriately, the memorial is ded-
icated on July 18, as 1t was on that
date in 1918 that Gen. Harbord, then
chief Of staff Of the A. E. F., COM
manded the and Division against the
huge German offensive at Soissons.
This battle marked the turning of the
tide In the drive on Paris and the
beginning Of the general German re-
treat.
ColOrs Massed for Rites.
Colors Of the regiments participate
ing in the I'd Division engagements
overseas have been brought to the re-
union for massing at the memorial
In authentic and colorful tribute to
those who fell beneath their folds.
A special color guard comes from
Fort Sam Houston, Tex, now the
home of the I'd Division, to bring
these official flags. The color guard,
which Is to be quartered at the Head
quarters Company, Eighteenth street
and Virginia avenue, is headed by
Lieut.. Col. Madison Pearson.
Among the features Of the dedica-
ton will be an airplane salute, hon.
ors to the three division commanders,
q salute of 81 guns by the 10th Field
Artillery, and music by the United
States Army and Marine Corps Bands.
Maj. Frank E. Mason Of New York
City, vice president of the National
Broadcasting Co., Is president Of the
I'd Division Association and viii pre-
side.
Officers to BE Elected.
The program for tomorrow will open
with q business meeting In the ball
room Of the Willard Hotel. Of1cers
are to be elected and reports on
progress made on the history Of the
division will be made by Maj. Gen.
Preston Brown, U. 8. A., retired,
chairman of the Historical Committee
Gen. Brown, who was chief Of staff
of the division, now resides at
Martha's Vineyard, Mass.
Last night the veterans, their rela-
tives and friends, made merry at an
other get-together and dance at the
hotel. Arrangements were in charge
Of the local branch Of the Second
Division Association, Of which DR..
Charles w. Tegge is president.
Among the many reunions Of various
units Of the ID Division will be the
annual banquet In the cabinet room Of
the willard Hotel tonight of the 23d
Company, 9Th Machine Gun Battalion,
United States Marine Corps, with Ar
thur Clifford Of Bridgeport, Conn.,,
battalion sergeant major, chairman In
charge Of arrangements. The toast
master will be Harold Cloutman of
New York City. Other members of the
committee are David DeLima and
Charles Mikelberg. The local chair
man for the company reunion here Is
Nelson M. Shepard. This company
was one Of the original units Of the
5th Regiment. lst Battalise. before
transfer to the I'd Division.