The guardian., 1941-08-02

more than two hundred soldiers on the
subject: "The Significance of indie
pendence Day" On the second Sunday
in July the Chaplain preached at the
Twenty-fourth Infantry Church to an
audience which numbered more than
six hundred soldiers and guest civili-
ans. Many friends and well-wishers
from the city of Columbus helped to
fill the huge auditorium. The Recep-
tion Center Chorus, led by the chap
lain, sang spirituals to the evident en-
joyment of all. The sermon topic was
"Overcoming Depression and the
Blues" On Friday evening, July 18,
at 700 pm, the commanding officer of
the reception center led more than five
hundred Selective Service Trainees,
Officers of the Staff, and many invited
guests into the 24th Infantry Stadium
to enjoy a Musical Hour" given by
the Reception Center Chorus and Drum
and Bugle Corps, which started the
program off with bang by processing
9 march from the left side of the oath
Infantry baseball field, and then to
centerfield; from there they followed
the baton of the drum major, Sgt.
Abner Jackson, to the infeld directly
in front of the stadium and drilled to
the formation of the letters R. c.,
(meaning Reception Center). The
crowded stadium unleashed enthusi-
astic applause which lasted for fully
three minutes, and was heard through
out the reception center area. When
the shouts of applause had abated.
the entire assembly joined in singing
America" after which the reception
center chorus proceeded to give it's
audience very fine program of music.
The chaplain was master of ceremO-
nies. Many outstanding visitors from
the city were present, among whom
We're: Prof. and Mrs. Rivers of the
Columbus school system, Mrs. Mary
More, president of the Somber Chasers
Club, Mr. E. E. Farley, very promi-
nent Y.M.C.A. worker and at present
executive secretary of the Colored
Army and Navy Y.MCA., of Colum-
bus, Georgia, the first of its kind ever
to be opened anywhere in the world,
and Mr.. W. A. Hardy, National Super
visor of the U.S.O., for Colored
People. Each of the above gave three
minute morale talks to the soldiers.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lunsford, a very
wealthy business woman of Columbus
and who financed the building of the
Army and Navy Y.M.C.A., also hon
ored us with her presence on the occa-
sion. The outstanding feature of the
program was the address on military
Courtesy and Morale" by Colonel
Lockhead, commanding officer of the
reception center, which was very fine
indeed, and he received a great ova-
ton from the huge crowd. At the
close of the program, refreshments
were served and everyone went away
very happy and requesting that the
affair be repeated.
This musical Hour will be one of
the permanent features of the chap
lain's activities at the reception center
and it will be given on the third Friday
in each month. Many visitors from
the Twenty-fourth Infantry were
present, the most prominent being:
the wife and family of the Regimental
Sergeant Major, Louis Scipio, Sgt. and
Mrs. Burton, Warrant Officer TresvilIe
and wife, Mrs. Williams, wife of Sgt
Williams, and the very popular and
sensational Chaplain Theodore Roose-
welt Frierson.
Sunday morning, July 20, the chap
lain conveyed the members of the
reception center chorus to Columbus
Georgia, to appear at the morning ser.
vices of the st. James A.M.E. Church
where they sang to the evident enjoy.
ment of all, after which they heard g
most inspiring sermon by the very eff
cient pastor, DIR. Beardon, on the sub.
ject: Excuses" After the services
they were taken to the various homes
of the church members for dinner
which they greatly enjoyed. They
were conveyed back to Ft. Benning al
400 pm, by the chaplain.
Thursday evening of this week, July
"a, the chaplain received an invitation
to be present at the monthly meeting
of the Social and Civic Club of the
wealthy professional and business mer
of Columbus which really make up the
real cream and brains of said city. HI