Evening star., 1945-05-14
Dead Of
|AreHonored at
Memorial Here
Legion Commander
Calls for Compulsory
Military Training

= ~ AAAo cAASeo~ W oSPe1A VSo Will
rades of both World Wars, Lee
Pennington, American Legion De-
partment commander, yesterday
called for compulsory military
training as the principal preventive
of another war.
The service at the District World
War Memorial In Potomac Park
where he spoke was really "our
own memorial day for the District
of Columbia" Comdr. Pennington
told the audience which had braved
a brief rain just before the program
opened.
Pointing out that the American
Legion long had demanded compul-
sorry military training, the speaker
declared that the lack of such a
program was partly responsible for
this war.
He called attention to present
Congress moves to establish such
training, and urged Americans ito
pledge ourselves that never again
on earth will an outlaw nation be
allowed to disturb the peace"
Auxiliary Leader Speaks.
Mrs. Charles B. Gilbert, of Nor
wich, Conn, Legion auxiliary pres
ident, said it was fitting to observe
the day as one of prayer for VIC
tory over the Japanese, and also al
a tribute to motherhood on Moth
er's Day.
To-day is not one of rejoicing"
she said. TT is one of thanksgiv-
ing that peace has come to part
OF the war" She also called for
prayers for the success of the San
Francisco Conference.
Comdr. C. M. Drury, U. S. NJ, Dis
trict chaplain of the Potomac River
Command in offering the invoca-
ton called for "rededication of our
selves to an unfinished task" He
was introduced by Miss Mabel r.
Staub, department president of the
auxiliary.
The program was brief, Eut coll
orful and impressive. Many were
kept away or left because oAa rain
squall, which cleared just In time
for opening of formal ceremonies.
The Marine Band, which was there
ready to present a concert and ac-
company the singing, left during
the downfall, so patriotic singing
by the audience was led without
accompaniment by Miss Hilda G.
Nelson, who also presented two
solos.
Massing of the Colors.
The Legion national guard of
honor, with Capt. Gale T. Judd
directing, drew up at the south
front of the marble memorial be-
fore temporary white cross, and
remained there during the program.
Flags Of many patriotic organiza-
tions passed around the quadrangle
before the memorial in ''Massing Of
the Colors." Mrs. Della Luther was
marshal of the guard of honor.
Her aides were Mrs. Marie Totten
and Mrs. Laura Lipscomb.
More than 20 wreaths were laid
at the foot of the white cross as
the guard of honor came to salute.
A group of Daughters of World
War I Veterans, headed by Miss
Patricia Lipscomb, president of the
Girls Nation of the Legion Auxil-
iary Juniors, laid chain of poppies
of the cross for the 435 men and
women whose names are inscribed
around the memorial base.
Gold Star Wreaths Laid,
Mrs. Fannie F. Meeks, president
of the Gold Star Mothers, placed a
wreath on behalf of the mothers of
men and women who lost their lives
in the last war. Mrs. ]. Paul Peters
of the District Salon of and 40.
whose son, ]. Paul Peters, jr., was
lost at Salerno, placed a wreath on
behalf of the mothers of local men
and women who lost their lives in
this war.
Haywood Saunders, past depart
ment commander, presided during
the presentation of floral tributes.
William H. Hargrave, acting ma
tlonal committeeman, who presided
during the rest of the program, in
troduced Frederick H. Brooke, me-
mortal architect, and said he re-
gretted that Frank B. Noyes, found
er and chairman of the Memorial
Commission, could not be present
I because of illness.
Capt. Menicos N. Menicon, Army
chaplain from Fort Myer, pro-
nounced benediction and the pro-
gram closed with retiring of the coll
ors. 1t was the tenth annual COM
memorative observance at the me-
mortal.
Mount Rainier PTA to Meet
| The Mount Rainier Citizens As.