Evening star., 1947-06-15
Gefhafd Calls
On Nation toBIof
0utComnnunism
General Speaks
At Annual Reunion
Of 18th Division
By Charles A. MeAIeer
sior St1ff Correspondent

BAL L11MOfIEI, JUNE lf.-0p6dk~
ing before members of the 29th Di-
vision Association at the annual re-
union of its Maryland department,
Brig. Gen. Charles H. Gerhardt,
wartime commander of the division
In its triumphant campaign across
France tonight urged Americans to
eradicate communism from the Ma
ton.
Describing communism as a ITO
talitarian enemy which stalks this
land of ours today" Gen. Gerhardt
said it was the duty of citizens" to
oppose in peace as in war these en-
emies of Americanism which threat
en- to destroy the fabric of our DEM
ocratic society"
1--WE must learn to detest such
enemies" he asserted, land to do
our utmost to expunge them from
our midst wherever they are found"
Gen. Gerhardt, who now is intel
ligence officer for the End Army at
Fort Meade, was the principal
speaker at a banquet and dance in
the Lord Baltimore Hotel, the high
light of two-day convention which
started today. He also urged the
erection of a strong National Guard,
the unified command of the Ma
tion's armed forces and program
co-ordinating the security of all
American nations.
introduced BY Gov. Lane
The General was introduced by
another former member OF the
division, Gov. Lane of Maryland.
The Chief Executive, captain
In World War I as ,adjutant of
the 115th Infantry Regiment, de-
clared there was mo outfit in the
military services of our country
that has exhibited the real ira
dttions of American citizens when
they're in a fight than has the
29th Division"
Gov. Lane added he hoped to
follow in the next four years some
of the things I've learned while
with the 29th."
Included among those attending
the banquet and convention were
some 100 members of the association
from the Washington Area.
Earlier, delegates we're welcomed
by Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, jr.,
former Democratic member of the
House.
Gen. Gerhardt also extended
greetings at the first session as rep
resented of 1t Gen. Albert C. Wide
meyer, I'd Army commander, and
Maj. Gen. Manton s. Eddy, deputy
commander.
The convention was opened by
william H. Triplett of Baltimore,
former medical colonel of the divi-
sion and co-chairman of the Re
union Committee.
Rain Cuts Attendance.
Attendance at the opening cere-
mony was kept down to about 100
veterans by torrential downpour
which struck Baltimore and flooded
numerous streets.
Following the invocation by Cor
nelius Vernon OF Baltimore, depart
ment chaplain. the initial session
was turned over to Charles M. SIN
clair, Baltimore, department COM
rnander.
Among those introduced were
Senator Tydings, Democrat of
Maryland. who served as lieuten-
ant colonel in World War I as di-
vision machine gun officer, and Maj.
ror Mt1tny1 A DnnEorI NJ ~
general of the Maryland National
Guard, who served in both wars
with the division and was its COM
mander when it was inducted into
Federal service February 3, 1941.
Other guests included five men of
the Washington area: James Stew
ems. District of Columbia Depart
ment commander, a national vice
chairman and past national COM
mander; Frank J. Lupac, of Silver
Spring, national sergeant-at-arms
and commander of Washington Post
No. %; and three past national
commanders, Milton E. Groome and
j. Fred Chase of Washington and
Samuel w. Barrow, Chevy Chase,
Md.
Resolution Passed.
Major business during an execu-
tive session was passage of three
resolutions and completion of plans
for the national convention, at AS
bury Park, N. j., October lib.
The resolutions supported the uni
versal youth military training pro-
gram. unification of the armed
forces and President Truman's
recommendation for inter- American
military cooperation.
The association now has a total
membership of 2,078 although 1855
veterans were members in 1916.
The present membership, it was
reported. includes 1,156 in Mary
land. 544 In Virginia. 80 In New Jer-
sey. IA in the District of Columbia
and las at-large.
Two more business sessions will
be held tomorrow with the first
scheduled to get under way at 10
am. The second. at 1:30 pm, will
be featured by the election of officers
of the Maryland Department.
The Nominating Committee in
cludes George B. Newhouse of
Hyattsville.
The convention will be officially
concluded with memorial service
in the hotel at pm. in tribute to
members of the association who
have died. Principal speaker will be
the Rev. James E. Moore of Balti-
more, national chaplain of the or
paniza ton