WORLD WAR I DINNER 147

He gave the State 45 years of valuable public service as our Adju-
tant General from 1920 until December, 1965. And it is in that role
he is best known to most of those of my generation.

But his service to Maryland and to his country extends far beyond
that time and far beyond our borders. He enlisted as a private in the
Maryland National Guard in 1901, and he served on the Mexican
border and in both World Wars.

As a Lieutenant Colonel in 1917, he was second in command of the
115th Infantry, the Maryland regiment of the newly organized and
later famed 29th Division. As a Colonel he led the 115th overseas and
through its combat service in World War I.

In World War II, he commanded the Third Corps Area, later
known as the service command, and in 1943 went to Europe as provost
martial general for the European Theater.

General Reckord, we commend you tonight for your many years of
service to Maryland and to the nation, not only for your military serv-
ice but also for your civic service.

I am also informed that this occasion marks the first official appear-
ance in Maryland of Mr. William H. Walker of York, Pennsylvania,
the National Commander of the Veterans of World War I. Mr. Walk-
er, I am sure you will be very busy attending such affairs in the months
ahead, and we cordially welcome you to Maryland. Your organization
outranks by approximately a year, I understand, that to which I be-
long—the American Legion.

I appreciate the invitation from the Department of Maryland to
participate in this observance this evening. The occasion which we
remember did not make the world safe for Democracy, as had been
the hope 50 years ago. This is attested to by the many young men
serving today in Viet Nam and in our armed services in other parts
of the world and in this country.

But it did mark the emergence of the United States as a world lead-
er, a responsibility that has been with us since then, but a responsibility
which we welcome. We are still rightfully engaged in that worthwhile
objective of World War I — making the world safe for Democracy —
and as long as we shall persist, we may in the end prevail. And the
dreams and the determination of 50 years ago will not have been in
vain.