The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1941-09-18
GOV. STASSEN SPOKE
TO HOME DEFENSE
Continued from Page One)

how each accomplished the feat.
Introduced by Colonel Henry
Mills, regimental commander, as
the states first soldier and the man
who had said what the army needs
is more poker players and less
bridge players, General Walsh
said, "This force has become more
or less of a model for other states
of the union. 1t is a consolation
to the governor and the people OF
this state to know that this force
will do more than keep the home
fires burning in the combat against
subversive forces in the state
He complimented the commander
and the men themselves and relat-
ed how the job had been marvel
ously done in the year since the
force had first appeared only ION
paper" He censured in one In
stance only when he pointed out
that attendance at drills had meas
ured only 70 per cent. 1--WE need
100 men out of every 100 at drill
and trained" he said.
Both General Walsh and the
Governor were received with stand
ing ovations by the assemblage OF
officers and men.
IT appear today to salute the
Minnesota Defense Force" Cover
nor Stassen began, ION behalf of
the people of our beloved state.
Your job of organizing defense as
a substantial factor of prepared
ness is one of the encouraging
notes"
'It is a fact" the governor con-
tinued, chat today in Minnesota
with over 1000 officers and men in
uniform and under Trainings a
force equal to or better than any
other in these United States. 1
mention this not to vie with other
states in particular, but to state
that our officers have been able to
assist other states"
1.-THE fact that we do have this
force brings out several points" he
said. 1.-THE present status of the
force is largely due to capable
men given responsibility and auth
GRITTY and then relied upon and
backed up. And officers and men
have rallied in keeping the tradi-
lions of the North Star State and
the United States"
Speaking Of the quality of men
as foremost in the strength of the
force, the governor paid a compli-
ment to Walsh when he said, "a
finer soldier never saluted old
Glory than General Walsh" Men
broke into really enthusiastic ap-
plause.
1--WE are not certain of the future
responsibilities of this unit" the
governor continued, "but the mere
organization of this force has been
of inestimable service. The mere
presence of you men gives the state
confidence. We face the future in
Minnesota and in the nation with
the calm courage that the Stars
and Stripes will continue to mean
free men who meet their respon-
sibilities as free men,"
A stage bristling with important
personalities who were introduce
ed by Colonel Miles was set for the
first official review by the govern
or of the new force. Besides the
principal guests, 1t. Governor c.
Elmer Anderson; Brigadier Gener-
al J. E. Nelson, acting adjutant;
1t. Col. Paul Brown, commander of
the 3rd Infantry now at Camp
Ripley, and Col. Ray Rossburg
were among dignitaries,
IT want to tell you how justly
proud I am of you," Colonel Mills
said to his men," You are really
Americans. you think like Amer
leans. You act like Americans"
Introducing the governor, Colon
ell Mills said, He thinks and lives
the American way. His judgment
shows that he has the states best
interests at heart. We are only too
happy to obey and follow him."
Announcing the afternoon review
as trained OUT, Colonel Mills said
that 1t. Col Brown had arranged
a review of the 3rd Infantry for