Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Nov. 13, 1945

 

STRONG NATIONAL DEFENSE IS URGED BY LEGION COMMANDER

STUART GUEST SPEAKER HERE

Legion Ceremony Held on Sunday at New School Building

A far-sighted national defense program to keep America strong and a power which will be heard with respect at all council tables was urged by Ralph R. Stuart of Hampton, state commander of the Iowa American Legion, who was guest speaker at the Legion’s annual Armistice day program here Sunday afternoon.

Commander Stuart’s address was a highlight of the services held in the new school auditorium, where the Legion and Auxiliary also honored, in a special ceremony, 48 Webster City men who died during World War II.

Outlined 1918 Conditions

In presenting his plea for a powerful America in future years to prevent the occurrence of future wars, the speaker outlined the conditions which followed the first armistice 27 years ago.

“We failed those men of World War I,” Commander Stuart declared. “We made vows and pledges that it must not happen, but it didn’t work. We must not fail them again. This time we must serve notice on any future aggressor that the United States intends to guard at any cost what the heroes of World War II earned at such a terrific price.”

He pointed out that Iowa lost 600 men in the first world conflict compared to 3,028 in World War II. The nation’s dead totaled 52,000 in 1918 and 315,000 in 1945.

Every Person’s Task

“This is a debt we never can repay in full,” the commander said. “It is a debt we must make regular payments on, and every person should realize the prevention of future wars is his own responsibility.”

“War has become a business of specialists,” he pointed out in depicting the American Legion as standing solidly behind a program of full military training, strong industries to back the services and development of career diplomats who will know how to deal with America’s neighbors.

The Sunday afternoon program was opened by the Webster City high school band, under the direction of A. B. Rudd, which played “Anchors Aweigh, “The Army Air Corps Song,”, “The Marine Hymn,” and “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Certificates Given

H. M. Nichols, commander of the Webster City post, was in charge of the program. Preceding Commander Stuart’s address, the regular Legion armistice services were held and then Gold Star certificates were presented to relatives or friends representing the following Webster City men who died during World War II.

Chester W. Algoe
Merlin Algoe
Raymond C. Bringolf
Franklin D. Brock
Gerald A. Cleckner
Kenneth W. Cornett
Gerald A. Curtis
David L. Darnell
Darle A. Dunbar
Maurice V. Esters
Bernard Fisher
Helmer W. Gangestad
James J. Gleason
Robert H. Hagan
Charles H. Harris
Emmet J. Harris
Alonzo N. Hathway, Jr.
Hilbert E. Herbst
Bernard E. Hoshaw
William H. Ingertson
Earl W. Keast
Howard G. Knoll
R. G. Julian
George L. Lichtenberger
Charles E. Meyers
Maynard McFerren
Frank R. McKisick
Charles K. Naden
Thomas Neessen
Roy W. Newman
Kenneth O. Nichols
Howard F. Olmstead
Robert R. Patterson
LeRoy Peterson
Walter H. Pfaffenbach
Robert O. Potter
Roscoe Rowe
Lee Riley
William Ruppel
Harold E. Seiser
Truman D. Sharkey
Donald R. Shelton
Roland J. Silvers
Wendle D. Smart
Donald F. Wahlers
James V. Wilke
Marvin J. Williams
Robert D. Wylie

At the completion of the program, gold colored chrysanthemums were presented by the Auxiliary to the mothers, wives or relatives of the World War II dead. The flowers were furnished by the Farmers National Bank and the First State Bank of this city. The balance of the bouquets were taken to the Hamilton county hospital and distributed there.

The Legion and Auxiliary, United Service Women, American War Dads, servicemen and ex-servicemen participated in the annual morning services held at the Legion monument on the Des Moines street boulevard. Six Spanish-American war veterans marched in the morning parade from the Legion hall to the monument where a firing squad from Company F saluted the dead in the traditional ceremony.