Evening star., 1952-06-04
Truman and Family
Greet 1000 Veterans
Al White House Parry
By Wallace {. Clayton

4,UUU veterans from nearby nos
pitals and the Soldiers, Home.
President and Mrs. Truman
! stood at the head of a long receiv-
! ing line for an hour and a half,
shaking hands with veterans of
{ battles from the Indian Wars to
Korea. During much of this time,
Margaret Truman passed trays Of
fruit punch to the guests and
signed innumerable autographs.
The garden party for recuperat-
ing veterans and old soldiers was
the resumption of q custom started
after World War ! by Mrs. Wood
row Wilson. Mrs. Wilson accom-
panied President Truman out onto
the lawn when the Marine Band
started the festivities with Hail
to the Chief"
The widow of the World War I
President. clad in q dark dress
and hat, stood in the line through
out the reception.
First Since 1947.
It was the first such party since
1947. One scheduled in 1948 was
rained out. Repairs on the White
House made them impossible dur
ing the last three years.
Standing next to Mrs. Truman
in the receiving line were Secre-
tary of State and Mrs. AcheSon.
Most other members Of the cab
met and their wives also were
present, as well as all representa-
tives of the Joint Chiefs of staff, i
except Gen. Hoyt D. Vandenberg,
who is ill.
The majority of the guests stood
In the 82-degree heat for at least
20 minutes before the PRESIDENT
made his appearance at exactly Al
pm. Some Sprawled beneath shade
trees. however, until the slowly
moving line shortened. The mem
from the Soldiers Home sat inI
chairs provided for them beneath
a large clump of trees.
The first veteran to greet Pres
tdent Truman was Col. Lester
Sprinkle, 81, who at the time of
his retirement in 1851 was chief
of staff of the military district Of
Washington.
Col. Sprinkle was pushed down
the line in wheel chair. He suf-
fered stroke some time ago and
is now a patient at the Walter
Reed Army Medical Center.
Knew Truman as Senator.
He said he had known President
Truman since the days when the
President was Senator.
Il think he recognized me-" Col.
Sprinkle said.
Seated. near Col. Sprinkle at
the refreshment stand was Sergt.
Harry c. Bell, Al, of 6906 George
Palmer street, Seat Pleasant, Md.
Sergt. Bell was wounded in the
right leg and back during World
War II. His leg was subsequently
& atnputated.
3s II told Mrs. Truman she was
even more charming than I
imagined" Sergt. Bell said. IT
think she enjoyed it,
He told Gen. Omar Bradley,
chairman of the Joint Chiefs Of
Staff:
Il never talked to you in Eu-
rope, but was with YOU. all
right"
Gen. Bradley smiled.
An earlier meeting was recalled
to Gen. Bradley by former Sergt.
Joseph Stringer, IS, who told him:
Il seated you lots Of times over
at the old riding hall at Fort
Myer. I'm an old cavalry man."
Recalls Patton as Major.
Sergt. Stringer said later he
was not sure of the generals rank
at that time. But he said he re-
called showing the late Gen.
George Patton to a seat at horse
show when Gen. Patton was a
major.
Former Pvt. Joseph w. Shep-
pard, who said he was "a. told
most Of the officials in the line
that he was an old Indian fighter
He said he was a trooper with the
9th Cavalry, stationed at Fortl
Reno "in the Indian territory"
After the veterans met the Ma
tion's highest dignitaries, they
were directed by White House
aides to the refreshment booth
Here. Red Cross workers and
White House buffers served them
with ice cream. cookies and cake.
Second and third helpings were
urged on every one.
When Miss Truman walked to-
ward group Of soldiers with al
loaded tray. some one called out,
Look out, don't trip her"
If any one trips me, it'll be the
last thing he does" she called
back, laughing.
Mrs. Wallace Looks On.
Even the Presidents mother-in-
i. law, Mrs. David Wallace, who has
been seriously i'll most of the win
ter, was wheeled out on the Sec
ond-f1oor balcony to watch the
festivities for a short time.
S After the last Of the veterans
had passed, the President shook
hands with a large group Of Vet
erans' Administration employees.
Then he walked down the linel
himself. shaking hands, chattingl
and laughing.
After posing with Mrs. Trumanl
for picture with the White House
aides. he joined his daughter andI
Strolled down the lawn. followed
by most of his guests.
He nibbled piece Of candy atl
the refreshment stand, then stood
quietly while the Marine Band
played voices Of Spring" by Jo-
ham Strauss.
He waved his hand at the band.
smiled at his guests and walked
back into the White House.