The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-19

tarieS following the troops ill ac- tion, carrying their kits of sup plies.
 Over the door of hust in the United States and abroad was the slogan, Everybody Welcome and Everything Free" The last part of this slogan was adopted and put into practice by the chairman
 of the war activities committee, our own William J. Muligan of Hartford.
 In Germany
 Besides activities in France, the secretaries followed the army into Germany, and there established many bases where creature com fort and supplies were given our American soldiers. Quarters were opened in London, Southampton and Plymouth, ill England; the Shetland Islands, in Scotland, and Dublin, Ireland, as well as Rome, Italy, where soldiers on leave had an opportunity of having free bed, as well as modest meals.
 The order was also the first or ganlzaticn to offer to more than 400 eX-Service men full scholar ships in college courses, leading to the degree of bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, or their equiv alent.
 The order contributed to the American Legion the sum of $50,- 900, to enable that organization to assist ill extending material relief to n~coompensable, or made quately compensated ex-seryice men, who migrated to the south west. In January, 1925, approxi- mately $40,000 of this fund re- mained on hand. This was used by the American Legion for car- ryllg out it's rehabilitation pro- gram, to aid in which the K. of c. made further donation, of up- wards of $35, ,000, making a total of $75,000 available to the legion for rehabilitation work for ex-service men. The Knights also gave $75,- 900 to the Disabled American Vet erans of the World War, to enable that organization to maintain it's office in Washington, and in field offices in various parts of the United States.
 See Him Through
 In the beginning, the Knights adopted as secondary slogan, the significant words, See Him Through" and they have not only seen the service men through his term of enlistment, but aided him in returning to civilian life.
 Yes, the Knights have also seen the nation through. They stand before their countrymen as the embodiment of that Catholic pa- triotism, which has never faltered, and which never more gloriously distinguished itself than in the World war.
 In the glorious and nationwide record of the Knights of Colum- bus, our own State of Connecticut played most important part. The order was first started here, and was recognized under a special charter, granted by the Connecti- cut General Assembly, on March 29, 1882. The founder was Rev. Michael Joseph McGivney, a na- tive of Waterbury, who first dreamed the dream that became the Knights of Columbus. A small group of men, sturdy isl faith, and eager to promote the welfare of their fellows, contributed toward the development of Father Mc- Givney's idea, but without the priests enthusiasm the Knights of Columbus would never have as- sumed definite shape, to overcome the difficulties of it's infancy. Young as he was, being only in his early 30's, when he first had the inspiration to establish in Con- necticut the great Catholic frater- nal order. Father McGivney was the first to realize, as result of his priestly experience, the vital need for a society of laymen, which would unite the male ele- ment of the church as the strong est point. Two of his brothers have served as national chaplains of the order. viz: the late Mon Signor Patrick McGivney and in