Milford chronicle., 1961-01-06
Nations Future Is
Founded On Faith

oOhS eshN 1uuShtSao . VI IhC aAiOA n
can Revolution; Mothers of World
War II and many individuals.
Music was provided by the choir
of Trinity Episcopal Church, Will
mington, with William F. Nagle as
organist and choir master. Reyer-
end Percy Rex is pastor of the
cooperating church.
In his address Mr.. Wood paid
high tribute to the Delaware
Blues the battalion which
fought so gallantly all through the
revolution, and praised Captain
Allen McLanei whom Wood said,
was in every sense a distinguish
ed American and Delaware sol
der"
Originally well-equipped and
proud outfit, Mr. Wood pointed out
that after four years in the North
and three years in the South, the
Blues marched with broken shoes
or completely shoeless; through
mud and sand and in summers
heat and winters cold; sleeping
in the open or in tents on freezing
grounds, and continuing this ef-
fort years on end without pay.
"Above all" Mr.. Wood said,
these Delaware soldiers were
men who had abounding faith.
They had hope . +. they had love
of country and of their fellow
men,"
He portrayed McLane as a man
of independent wealth who sacri-
feed all of his holdings in the
service of his country. McLane
was at White Plains, witnessed
the capture of the Hessians at
Trenton and Princeton, "and by
his good conduct and exemplary
gallantry particularly attracted
the attention of General Washing
ton who Immediately appointed
him to a captaincy in a continen-
tai regiment.
"He Immediately returned to
Delaware and recruited "a men at
his own expense, paying the .boun-
ty money from his own pocket" "
Wood continued. HE was vigil
ant, active and remarkably pru-
dent, though possessed of the most
dauntless intrepidity."
1T was the foraging expeditions
of Captain Lane that brought sup
plies to the anguished men at VAL
ley Forge who were starting to
desert or swap their muskets for
food. He harrassed British lines,
captured their supplies and was
greatly responsible for their evac-
uation of the city of Philadelphia. 4"
Mr.. Wood also reminded that it
was McLane again who took COM
mand of Marine aboard the ship
Congress" and by his superior
direction assisted in the capture
of the British sloop Savage, los
ing only 19 men, At the close of
the war, McLane was specially ci-
ted by General Washington as hav-
ing distinguished himself highly
as brave and enterprising Off
GER.
ALLEN McLane was a man with
a sense of mission, a man of faith
and hope and love for his country
. +. a great Delawareans and a
great American" Mr.. Wood de-
clared
To-day as I stand on these hal
lowed grounds, where gallant men
bled and died for our heritage of
freedom these things l be-
lieve," the speaker continued.
Il believe if there ever was a
time in the world for more faith
F. that time is now /. and
that faith must be rooted in our
selves and our fellowmen. We
must return again to the simple
principals of personal response
bility, unselfishness, and love for
our country and our fellowmen.
Il also believe this world needs
more hope. Hope is one of the
great motivating forces of all hu-
man experience. Throughout re-
corded history man has struggled
onward and upward inspired by
hope these are the eternal
sparks that have lifted the spirit
of man to heights of greatness.
This, too, l believe-we must
have a rebirth of social response
bility, and this is problem of
the human heart. Something is
missing in the hearts of America
and of the world and that some
thing is a recognition of our re-
sponsibilities to our fellowmen.
There is a moral and spiritual
lethargy which characterizes the
minds and hearts of many people
everywhere.
And finally | believe that
we need more love of America
and more love and remembrance of
the men who shared the burdens,
sufferings and deaths that went
into its making. What shall we
get in return for such love? What
special reward has America for
us?
America gives us her souI-stir-
ring history and a hope for the
future. She gives us feeling of
pride at the sight of her flag. Her
bring tears of appreciation to our
eyes.
America gives us knowledge
and understanding of the price
less legacy we have inherited. She
guides and encourages our pur-
suit of happiness.
I'VE have many rewards from
our American heritage our
right to keep the fruits of our
labor-our right to self govern
ment . our right to forge ahead
We are inspired with pride in our
own individuality and our own
country America the beauti-
full" Mr.. Wood concluded.
a Ilx