The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-27

trampS along, wheeling and maneuv ly determined not to be caught nap certainty. The town of 2,200 popul spirit and in resources.
 It was conceived, in fact, at town meeting when national defense and ocnscription became the lively issue of the nation.
 John c. Redington, a World War artillery captain, came forward with suggestion of preparedness. The war in Europe was spreading, the draft army and preparations were hustling to get young men into uni form for military training.
 But what about the thousands Of communities throughout the na- ton? What about home defense? What about arousing public spirit and patriotic fervor?
 Town Meeting Held
 Redington proposed t he Wilton Citizens Committee for National Defense. An overflow town meeting gave it hearty endorsement and work was begun to put the town ln state of readiness.
 First, by public conscriptiop. fund was raised to finance home defense unit. That was the army" Volunteers, most of them of draft age, responded. They were unltor- med and armed-wooden. guns for drills, real rifles for target prac- tice. A rifle range was built in the basement. of town hall.
 Drills were scheduled twice a week, with army trained men Ill charge.
 Soon there was company Of 45 men, including six SergeantS ana three corporals. These non-commis- stoned officers met one night week for training in one particular phase of army life. This knowledge , was passed on to the corps on reg ular drill nights.
 !. Besides learning the manual of arms, marching orders and maneu- yers, instruction is offered ill the Morse code. army telegraph, map reading and making, bayonet prac- tice and the use of rifle and pistol.
 Later, when spring maneuvers' are plausible, there will be courses in field sanitation, use of hand grensdes, Thompson automatic rifles Browning machine guns, 60 mllll- meter trench mortarS, troop move ments tactical problems and there will be overnight marches and out door camping.
 May Form "ParashOts"
 Aviation is not yet 8 part of the facilities, nor has there been any snti-aircraft instruction, but there are gome crack shots in the com pany who may later form an anti parachute defense corps.
 Enlistments are voluntary, but the training is to be as close to the real thing as possible. Strict military discipline is maintained and there is enthusiastic cooperation between the officers and men.
 Th.e purpose of this army is tWo- fold, First, it famliiariZes the pros pectiye draftee with the fundamen- tals of army life and makes it easier to adjust himself to change to military pace; second, 1t makes the whole community defense con- scious" and eager to learn what to do to protect the town should war ever come.
 From my experience in the army" said Redington, T found that the men not used to military training were greatly handicapped and I feel that this training will not only overcome that handicap but will enable these boys to make a better place if themselves in the army, should they be called, and i'll civilian life"
 While the army is absorbing its military flavor, the defense commit tee engages in another important task-compiling data on facilities valuable for defense purposes.
 Defense Data Compiled
 Through a house-to-house ca11- vass. it's members collect such data as the names, ages, physical quail fications for service, previous m1ll- tary training of every resident; To- cation of homes, types of housing, number of rooms in each home available for emergency use; heat ing EnetIlOuS, WdGcI SuppllCo, d AAoV of motor vehicles, agricultural fac ilities, space for fuel storage, etc. Results of this census is kept at committee headquarters and is available to the War Department,
 Wilton is ready to go on a war basis on moments notice.
 Such patriotism is not a new story to Wilton. Judge G. E. Hub bard has written a history on the towns important part in the fight for American Independence. One section Of his book relates the Bat tie of Wilton Ridge in TIT, when the British were retreating after a raid at Danbury
 The Wilton militia marched to the aid of adjoining Norwalk and prevented footing of that town.
 Our troop record was pretty good,' said Judge Hubbard More than 300 men in the war. with less than 300 families in town"