Sentence:  In a periodic review , the local board on July 30 , 1953 , reclassified him 1 , - A and upheld this classification after a personal <WSD>appearance</WSD> by petitioner , because of his willingness to kill in defense of his church and home . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action