Evening star., 1940-04-06
$4,000 Troops Await
Signal 10 Marchin
Army Day Parade
Roosevelt ConerotuIotes
Officers and Men on
Defense Response

A huge throng of marchers, be-
decked in scores of colorful uni
forms, awaited a buglers notes
commanding forward march" at
las o'clock this afternoon to start
the largest Army Day parade in
history rolling down Constitution
avenue from the Capitol.
Although President Roosevelt S
attendance is uncertain because of
his recent illness. he today ad-
dressed personal message to the
officers and enlisted men of the
Army congratulating them upon
their response to his order last Sep
tember strengthening this coun-
try's defenses.
A forecast of clear skies and a
temperature of about SIS degrees at
parade time was expected to draw
record crowds to witness the pro-
cession of $4,000 persons represent
ing 200 different organizations.
5000 Seats Available.
The parade will begin at New Jer-
sey avenue and B street Sc, swing
through the Capitol grounds and
turn west on Constitution avenue
to Seventeenth street NV. The
first of the parade's four divisions
is scheduled to reach the line of
Sixteenth street before the review
ing and public stands, where at
least 5000 seats are available for so
and 80 cents each, about 2:10 pm.
The parade is sponsored by the
Military Order of the World War,
headed by 1t. Comdr. Charles A.
Mills. Army Day marks the 23d
anniversary of this country's entry
into the World War.
The District Red Cross Chapter
will have three first aid stations
along the line of march. An ambu-
lance unit composed of members of
the Motor Corps, two Red Cross
nurses and from four to six persons
qualified to give first aid will be in
attendance at each station.
In connection with Army Day,
Norman H. Davis, chairman of the
Red Cross, issued a statement point
ing out that the current national
defense expansion program has
given the body its busiest year
among veterans and active service
men since the World War.
Maj. Gen. James K. Parsons,
commanding general of the Sd
Corps Area, will be grand marshal
Of the parade, to be made up of
standing fighting force units in full
field dress, National Guard divi-
sions, Reserve and cadet organiza-
tions, and patriotic and veteran
groups. Thirty-one musical or
CARNATIONS will be in the procession.
Secretary of War Woodring, high
ranking military officers, members of
Congress and foreign military and
naval attaches will be In the re-
viewing stand.
The Military Order will hold an
Army Day banquet at the May
flower Hotel at 7:30 o'clock tonight
with the Secretary of War as the
main speaker.
Presidents Message.
The text of President Roosevelt's
Army Day message follows:
"A presidential proclamation desig-
mated April 6 as Army Day, and
I wish to add my personal greet
ings to the military forces.
"LastSeptember I called upon the
officers and men of the Army to
strengthen our national defenses
within the limits of peacetime au-
thorizations. The Army has made
a splendid response to this direction.
At considerable personal sacrifice,
the members of the National Guard
carried out a special period of field
training during the early weeks of
the winter. At the same time the
troops of the Regular establishment
were largely concentrated in the
field where they were still engaged
in strenuous program Of training.
Enduring a winter of unusual Sc
verify and of floods and other diff
| TC.. nAnANE noro A9N