Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-30
lADB
Marks
Birthday
BY RUTH DEAN
Star Staff Writer

Star Staff Writer
The Inter-American De-
Tense Board was 20 years old
yesterday-and it was a birth
day to remember.
The day started out at the
White House with personal
greetings from President
Kennedy to the representa-
tives of the 20 countries which
comprise the military arm of
the Organization of Ameri-
can States. 1t ended on q
gala note with a birthday
ball in the Hall Of the Amer
icas in the Pan American
Union.
AS guests enjoyed last
nights party they reminisced
about the event that high
lighted the earlier part of
the day, particularly the
Presidents speech of con-
gratulations to them with its
added touch of characteristic
humor.
The President is reported
to have talked about the i'm
portance of the defense ef-
fort. But he told the dele
cation of Latin American
generals and admirals that
he was afraid that the i'm
portance of the military in
their countries is emphasized
a little more than he would
like to see in our country.
In fact, he observed whimsi-
cally, he might at that mo-
ment be addressing some fu-
ture politicians in his audi
ence.
Brilliant Hall
The Hall Of the Americas
was brilliantly lighted for the
ball for which 1t. Gen.
a Robert w. Burns, chairman
of the IADB, and Mrs. Burns
were the hosts. With them In
the receiving line were 1t.
Col. Nerva Staco, IADB vice
chairman and chairman Of
the Haiti delegation to the
board, and Mrs. Staco. and
Rear Admiral Fernando Ma
CANA, Mexico's naval dele
gate to the IADB and chair
man of the boards social
committee, and Mrs. Magma.
Guests included three past
chairmen of the IADB in
Guiding Army 1t. Gen. Willis
D. Crittenberger. Air Force
Maj. Gen. Robert L. Walsh,
and Marine Corps Gen. Lem
uel C. Shepherd, jr. Mrs.
Crittenberger and Mrs. Shep-
herd were also there.
The Crittenbergers sat at a
small table with two old
friends, the Presidents Mill
tary Aide, Maj. Gen. Chester
CTed") v. Clifton. and Mrs.
Clifton. Anne Clifton has
known the Crittenbergers all
her life. Her father, retired
Army Brig. Gen. Robert N.
Bodine, and Gen. Critten-
berger were classmates at
West Point.
The Presidents other two
aides were also at the ball.
Brig. Gen. Godfrey T. Nc
Hugh, Air Force Aide to the
President, and Capt. Taze-
well T. Sheppard, Naval
Aide, and Mrs. Sheppard
shared a large table with
IADB delegates and their
wives.
The evening had several
dramatic moments.
20 Flags
At a signal from the United |
States Air Force Band q COL
or guard marched in smartly
carrying the flags of the 20
GAS nations. AS they stood
at attention the length of the
chandeliered ballroom, Ad-
miral Magma read a message
of birthday congratulations
in Spanish, later translated
into English.
Admiral Magma paid trib-
ute to "the flags of the |
American Republics, to its |
governing body and it's peo-
ple." wishing them success
in their high ideals Of liberty |
and democracy, progress,
peace and achievement of |
continued solidarity"
AS everyone dined on a late |
evening buffet supper, the
Air Force Strolling Strings |
serenaded them with a half |
hour Of favorite melodies.
Then as the band struck up
Happy Birthday to YOU" a |
five-tiered birthday cake was |
wheeled in. Applause greeted |
Gen. Burns as he cut the first |
piece.
Other guests included Army
Deputy Undersecretary and |
Mrs. Howard E. Haugerud, |
DR.. Charles G. Fenwick, the
Pan American Unions direc-
tor Of legislative affairs, and |
Mrs. Fenwick; the dean of
the diplomatic corps, Nicara-
guam Ambassador Sevilla-Sa-
casa; the United States Am
bassador to the GAS deLes-
Seps S. Morrison, and a score
OF Latin American ambassa-
doris to the United States and
the GAS.
IN