Evening star., 1952-05-31
Donohue Assai|s
Defense Cuts at
Arlington Rites
Congress Disregords
Mornings, He Tells
Amphitheoter Throng

VOsitBt1SSI stS bSitS
Amphitheoter Thronq
District Commissioner r. Joseph
Donohue yesterday criticized Con-
gress In q Memorial Day address
at Arlington Cemetery for cutting
the defense budgets In recent ap-
propriations.
Mr.. Donohue declared: "Dis-
regarding the warnings Of the
President and the advice Of the
Joint Chiefs Of Staff, a majority
Of Congress facing the election,
and away from the danger, have
cut defense appropriations.
els this our final answer to our
comrades who lie here?" he asked
the hundreds Of persons in the
amphitheater at the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier.
Thousands Visit Cemetery.
The Commissioner spoke against
q background Of mourning. Thou
sands Of relatives Of servicemen
who died in battle thronged the
cemetery.
The day was chilly and gray, but
the view was frightened by thou
sands Of small American flags and
= red poppy blossom in front Of
each tombstone.
Commissioner Donohue called
on the country to remember the
sacrifices of the men slain in bat
tie to protect Americas freedom.
He attacked the Communist Party
and the untold thausands'' Of fell
low travellers as great menace
to this freedom.
Secretary Lovett Attends.
Sitting next to Mr.. Donohue
during the ceremonies, sponsored
by the Grand Army Of the Re-
public Memorial Day Corp, was
Secretary Of Defense Lovett.
Preceding the ceremonies, 1t.
Col. Ralph e. Zahrobsky, of the
S2d Airborne Infantry In World
War II, now an Army aide to
President Truman, placed a wreath
at the Tomb Of the Unknown Sol
dier. French Ambassador Henri
Bonnet also placed a wreath.
There was no fanfare. Several
hundred spectators watched quiet
ly and joined in a full minute of
silence after the wreaths were
placed.
There was a 21-gun salute and
then taps.
Many Services Conducted.
Elsewhere in the District area,
many groups observed Memorial
Day with prayers and ceremony.
Yesterday morning the Fleet Re-
serve Association held services at
the Watergate. A floral anchor,
consisting Of a flower for each
dead war hero, was dropped into
the Potomac River from q Sea
Scout Explorer ship.
The memorial address was made
by Rear Admiral w. K. Phillips,
assistant chief Of naval operations.
The Marine Band played and
honored guests were "piped
aboard"
Suburban communities held ap-
propriate Memorial Day programs
also. At Rockville, veterans
groups held a parade and me-
mortal exercises. in which Mont
gomery County units participated.
Prince Georges County vet
Grams and patriotic groups spon-
sored a parade at Hyattsville.
Parades and memorial exercises
were also held at various other
points in the outlying areas.
Ceremonies at Brightwood.
Colorful exercises were held yes
terday afternoon at Battle Ground
National Cemetery, Brightwood.
They were under the sponsorship
Of the Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie Memorial Day Corp. and the
Brightwood Citizens Association.
John. Clagett Proctor, who pre-
sided, recited an original poem.
H. Grady Gore, the principal
speaker, paid tribute to the men
who lost their lives July 11-12,
1854, in front Of Fort Stevens.
and to other service men.
Col. Michael Casey, national
commander, Irish War Veterans,
read Gen. Logan's order establish
ing Memorial Day. The Rev. Rob-
ert E. Lee. pastor Of st. Luke's
Lutheran Church, Silver Spring,
gave the invocation.
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
was recited by Maj. Joseph A.
Walker, past department COM
mander, American Legion here.
Neighborhood school children
placed flowers on the graves. Ben
ediction, the firing Of . salute and
the playing Of "Taps" concluded
the ceremony.
Vice chairmen were Harry Fine,
president Of the association: Capt.
L. e. Mandy. department COM
mander Of Maryland Sons Of
Union Veterans, and Howard 8.
Fisk, representing the corporation.