Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-05-18
American Day
Crowds Thronq
Local Meetings
Italian Citizens Buy
$4,000 War Bonds;
Naval Units Parade


They heard it yesterday from
the silver throats of distinguished
orators. They heard il from thu
husky threats OF common folk un'
accustomed TO the spotlight. They
heard il. blaring across Belle Isle
as The Stars and Stripes For
ever, - -..Ged- Bless -AFaeFiea,
Country IT'S of Thee" played.
It's the story of what ii means
20 be able 10 say:
They told IL to each other, these
. Detroiters, and to themselves. But
il wasn't because they didn't
know IL.
ct AM AN AMERICAN-
At Belle Isle. more than 10000
of them-many standing-Stayed
for hours on II Am An American
Day 10 hear il told and retold.
II was the same all over the
nation-in cities and towns. in
villages and ''burgs"-the story
was retold.
At the Institute OF Arts audi
forum. more than a thousand
all the hall would hold-listened
to il with rapt attention.
At Perrien Park, 10000 De-
troiters of Italian ancestry heard
it-then subscribed for $4,000
worth of war bonds. They also
planned a message to the people,
which will be broadcast to them
by short-wave radio. The message
urges Italians to revolt against
Fascist rule.
At numerous other meetings,
throughout Detroit and suburbs
as elsewher throughout the
United States, the story was told.
sung, played. And the people lis
tened-nof because II was new
but because they loved to hear 1t.
AMERICAN--AND GLAD
There were distinguished speak
ers at many Of the meetings, but
the message didn't require a dis
tinguished speaker. Mrs. Carmeia
Gallo. an Italian-American house
wife. told IL about as well as IL
can be told.
II was born In Italy" she told
the group at the Art Institute.
But I am an American citizen
now and 4 am glad
81 have IL children. Two of
my sons are In the army, and
the youngest In counting the
days until he will be old enough
to go.
81 love my children. I had
them because I wanted them
not because some dictator or
dered me to.
"And when we are together
we can laugh and talk, and we
don't have to be afraid.
"Fm glad my sons can fight
for our country. I want them
to do their part and help us
win the war, 90 we can con-
tinue TO share the blessings of
American freedom"
HARRISON SPEAKER
Earl G. Harrison. special as
sistant to the. attorney general
and heard Of alien registration.
was the principal speaker at the
Institute rally, which was spon-
sored by, the Council of Social
Agencies OF metropolitan Detroit.
Harrison stressed that Amer
ica's greatest strength Is the con-
tribution from the "a, 900, 900
persons who have migrated 10 this
country during the past so years.
These people have played a
real part In the development Of
the United States" he said.
"They win continue TO do their
part. They are real Americans.
John c. Lehr, United States
district attorney, also addressed
the meeting and welcomed re-
Gently naturalized citizens TO their
new country.
"Citizenship Il great privi-
lege and not q right" he de-
cIared. at. h the most mag
nificent privilege that can be
extended by America"
The Belle Isle ceremonies were
really joint celebration Of Il Am
an American" Day and the navy's
victory in the Coral Sea. The
American day progra was
sponsored by the department Of
rarks and recreation with War
RI T. Bow, deputy superintendent
- schools, the chief speaker.
cow STRESSES UNITY
Bow in his talk stressed the
unity of the American people. the
responsibility OF citizenship and
loy2lty due the country.
-, The navy program began with
q massing OF 1.400 members of
naval units in the Detroit area al
the Gabriel Richard Park. The
sailors then marched across the
bridge 10 the islands peace tower
where there was a program OF
speeches.
The principal address was given
BY Abner T. LaTued, state director
Of the WPA. who warned Of the
danger from. persons who seek TO
divide the countries Of the United
Nations.
we are al In this together"
he said. ~ we must remain to-
getber. Our security IA bound up
18th fh~ s~,rurlfxr nj n,tr AIIies