Evening star., 1945-11-18

Traced here are the move
his Imprisonment at Tarlac to
later. He was interned in six
talked to my wife by phone In
Skaneateles, N. Y, grateful to hear
her voice again after more than -four
years.
I spent Sunday morning, Septem-
ber 8, on my sons fine new ship
and then met the Mayor and rode
with him in the great parade which
jointly celebrated the anniversary OF
California's admission to the Union
and my own return. 1t was tre-
mendous occasion, an indeiible thrill
Gen. Marshall had instructed me
to arrive in Washington at exactly
1890 pm., Eastern war time, the
following day. We took off from
Hamilton Field in our same C-5A at
pm. Sunday and few over land ]
have always loved-the Sierra Ne
vada Mountains. Late that night
We landed at Omaha for gas.
We were ahead of schedule short
ly after dawn, SO Perkins flew us over
the beautiful Tennessee Valley and
the Big Smokes, gave us a look
at the big Marine base at Quantico
Va, and put the C-54 down on the
dot of 1890 at the National Airport
in Washington.
AS I stepped from the plane a
guard of honor presented arms and
the band played the appropriate
flourishes and rufiles and then the
Generals March," Standing at
attention, as was every one else,
kept my eyes on my wife, who stood
there at Gen. Marshall's side. Gen.
Marshall let my wife come to me
first.
1t was busy day. Mrs. VAIN
wright and were taken first to the
Pentagon Building to meet that
fine old gentleman and statesman,
Col. Stimson, in his office in the fam
tastic building, the existence of
which I had learned only q week
before.
On a reception committee at the
Pentagon were 80 or 40 officers
and men of my former command In
the Philippines, among them Col.
Howard, the Marine officer in COM
mand of Corregidor's beach de-
lenses; Brig. Gen. Romulo of the
Philippine Army and number of
other Filipino officers and men, and
Brig. Gen. Maxon Lough, who had
suffered an almost killing blow over
the head with a baseball bat during
the Bataan death march.
We were driven across the bridge
into Washington and on nearly every
lamppost was picture of myself
in my sun helmet, and the warming
legend, Welcome Skinny"
Cheers Here Bring Tears.
More than 100000 persons had
gathered on the Monument Grounds
and when I took my place on the
f1ag-draped reception stand they
gave me cheer that, guess,
brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you, all Of you -
I finally said, 81 still find it hard
to believe that I am really here,
back among my own people.
1--WE lived in a blacked -out world
during our prison days. One of
the least, and the greatest, Of the
cruelties practiced by the Japs was
to keep us from frequent contact
with home. We seldom knew what
had happened to our loved ones.
From the poverty of our exist
ence out there we have returned
to find American strong and great.
Even before we first set foot on
the American continent at San
Francisco last Saturday we knew
how this country had rallied from
our defeat at Corregidor.
The tables are now completely
turned. No humane person could
desire that the Japs be forced to
endure what many of our men
went through. Yet I know that
Americans will insist that the full
meaning of Japan's surrender be
brought home to every subject of
the Emperor. These truculent men
must be forced to realize the folly
of their ambition. Until the Japa-
nese people display sincerely a de-
sire for peaceful ways. we must not
abandon our watch.
THAT moment of surrender in
Tokyo Bay was bought with the
blood of more than a million Amer
leans who died or were wounded in
the struggle. Billions of dollars and
countless hours Of work by Amer
leans at home had been required
to bring that little party Of beaten
Japs to the Missouri's deck. All
because for q while we were care
less of the Nations safety. We
let down our guard.
Remember Bataan! Remember
Corregidor!"
Capitol Steps Filled.
The steps of the Capitol were
filled with cheering men, women
and children when we arrived there
from the Monument Grounds to
address the houses of .Congress.
Speaker Rayburn and members Of
the House Military Affairs Comtnit-
tee met me and escorted me to the
assembled House. where / poke
briefly.
Senate President Pro-tem Nc
Kellar and members Of the Senate
Military Affairs Committee took me
into the Senate chamber, where 1
again thanked the representatives
Of the American people for making
possible this moving occasion. Fol-
lowing my short address / Was
introduced to each Senator.
But the great day was not done.
Ny wife and ! and our group were
driven through streets lined With