The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-06-18

pay Americas tribute for military victory.
 Tn humble realization that they, who earned your commendatlon should properly be here to receive it, I am nevertheless proud and honored to serve as your agent ln conveying 1t to them"
 Speaking for those millions, Gen. eral Ike said there was mo slight est doubt that our peoples spirit of determination, which has buoyed us up and driven us forward in Europe, will continue to fire this nation through the ordeals of the battle yet to come"
 Tn this spirit" he said, i've re- new our pledge of service to our commander -in- chief, President Tru- man. under whose strong ladership we know that final victory is cer- tain"
 Eisenhower talked of the Amerl- can soldiers who faced every hazard the Nazis could conjure up and "conouered them all" He talked Of our Allies, the fighting men of Russia, Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg. And he paid special tribute to the late Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill "these two God-given men"
 "To those who all of us recognize our lasting obligation he said. Eisenhower went before congres: after riding, to the triuanphant music of 20 bands, along avenues through which the dead President to the beat of untitled drums, had been borne on his last return tc the capital two months ago.
 Eisenhowever said much of the U. S. ground, air, naval supply, and Merchant Marine forces. He thank ed civilian America in behalf of the millions he led for the weapons and the confidence and sympa- theitc understanding" which he saio made victory possible.
 He spoke at more length about the Allied unity which never faI- tered when the fighting was hard est.
 Often" he said, "have thanked kind providence for these staunch allies"
 But Eisenhower's real message a message he said was "imbedded deep in the hearts of all fighting men," was this:
 The soldier knows how grim and dark was the outlook for the Allies in 1941 and 1922. He is fully aware of the magnificent way the United Nations responded to the threat.
 'To his mind the problems ot peace can be no more difficult than the one you had to solve more than three years ago, and which, in one battle area, has now been brought to a successful conclusion.
 He knows that in war the threat of separate annihilation tends to hold allies together; he hopes we can find in peace a nobler incentive to produce the same unity.
 He paSsionately believes that with the same determination the problems of peace can and must be met.
 He sees the United Nations strong but considerate; humane and understanding leaders in the world to preserve the peace he is winning"
 It was the biggest and best re- ception the capital could arrange Ia parade past hundreds of thous- ands of cheering citizens who started assembling hours ahead oi time, an address to the Congress civic luncheon, afternoon anc evening receptions at the White House.
 For the man whose Anglo-Ameri- can armies smashed Germany from the west it was D-Day and H. Hour of a five-day blitz during which he will hear from millions of American throats the words Welcome Ike".
 Plane Escort
 The four SkymaSter planes bear ing the general and his party were escorted to the airport from a ren- dezvous point 50 miles away by l0t fighters and bombers in a roaring prelude to a roaring celebration.
 At the airport some 30 relatives of members of the generals party were given just enough time to de- liver hasty kiss, say the irco- hfrent things common to suct occasions and wave their heroes or their way.
 The claims of a loving hero-worshipping populace made extended reunions impossible fol the time-being.
 Mrs. Eisenhower-"Of course, I'm nervous" she said-was reunited not only with her five-star hus. band. but also with her 1st Lieu tenant son, John.
 It was triumphant homecoming for modest, balding little mar with boyish grin. General of the Army Eisenhower. they call him.
 But from Abiline. Kan, to Lon- don. England. he is Ike" So that's what they have painted on ths | ra<&t. AAnfs nbAu<