States. I am leaving these thoughts with you with the hope that they
may be of some inspiration to you, as legionnaires, to continue the
splendid work you have done for so many years.

In conclusion, may I say that it is a genuine pleasure to be with
you on this occasion. You have my best wishes for a successful con-
vention and for an enjoyable visit in Baltimore.

ADDRESS, ADVERTISING CLUB LUNCHEON HONORING
MAJOR GENERAL MILTON A. RECKORD

BALTIMORE

November 11, 1959

A week ago I attended a luncheon with some of the members of
my "official family"—heads of departments and members of my staff—
and at the time I remarked that many of those present I had "in-
herited" from previous administrations.

In the group of "inherited" officials was Major General Milton A.
Reckon!, who as adjutant general is the State's ranking military
officer and the chief adviser to me in the exercise of my constitutional
responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of the
State. General Reckord, in fact, had been "inherited" by all of my
predecessors back to Governor Ritchie, who appointed him to that
position back in 1920. Shortly before I took the oath of office as
Governor, the newspapers of the State reported that General Reckord
had announced his plan to retire as adjutant general. I wondered at
the time how serious he was in this intention, and when I had an
occasion to talk with him later, I asked him if he really wished to
retire. He told me that the announcement was made to make it easy
for me to name a new adjutant general if I saw fit, and then I asked
him: "Will you keep the job?" His reply was: "I will if you want me
to. " That was a characteristic response of a good soldier to a call
to duty, and it reminded me of another incident that occurred in
(the long and fruitful career of this man who is called Maryland's
"most outstanding civilian soldier. "

Just before reaching the statutory Army retirement age in 1943,
I am told, General Reckord, already having served his country in
various military capacities for more than four decades, received a
note from General Marshall, then Chief of Staff, saying: "I know

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