84 State Papers and Addresses

come to look upon as everyday, nothing-to-get-excited-about possessions.

Apart from the welcome opportunities afforded by such occasions as this
to renew acquaintance with friends from other sections, I believe that Regattas
like these serve a very worthwhile purpose for the entire State, in helping to
acquaint more and more of our residents with the advantages that are theirs for
the taking. In thus helping to acquaint Marylanders generally with this portion
of their State, it gives them an incentive to take a more active interest in
these regions, and in the problems that face the State in connection with them.
For, priceless as these natural resources may be, their value to posterity will
be greatly lessened unless we take care of them in the proper manner now.

So—not to be too serious on a festive occasion like this—I wish merely to
say in closing that I am very happy to be here with you. In fact, I can think of
no other place that I'd rather be at the moment. I hope, and expect, to have the
opportunity to greet many of you while here. Certainly, I wish for all of you
the pleasant week-end that I know is in store for me.

MEMORIAL CRAFTSMEN DEDICATION EXERCISES

August 17, 1939
Baltimore

WE are gathered here this evening to do honor to the memory of two of
Maryland's sons who laid down their lives for us, and in so doing gave
evidence of bravery so conspicuous as to win for themselves places among the
illustrious ranks of the Distinguished Warriors of our Country.

As Governor of Maryland, I feel deeply privileged to accept, on behalf of
the State this well-merited tribute from the Memorial Craftsmen of America.
It expresses, fittingly, Maryland's pride in the valorous achievements of Private
Coston and Ensign Hamman, who out of all the thousands of courageous
Marylanders participating in the World War, were chosen as worthy recipients
of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

This shaft will be for all time a worthy addition to the many historic
monuments and memorial groups that have enriched the history and traditions
of Maryland, and especially of Baltimore. The Memorial Craftsmen of
America, meeting here now in annual convention, well deserve our thanks for
this permanent memento of their stay among us.

On an occasion like this, stirred as we all must be by poignant memories
of these two men and of many others who perished that the ideals of Democracy
might survive, it seems to me that we might well pause and reflect a moment
on the meaning of it all. The fighting, the privations, the deaths and untold
sufferings of that Great War seemingly came to an end nearly twenty-one
years ago, but the aftermath of that gigantic struggle is still with us, and
will be for many years to come.

Such reflections would seem particularly appropriate just at this time
when in many quarters, we note threats of the beginning of another Great War
that may be far more destructive in every way than was that period of horror
that many of you now standing before me, I have no doubt, still recall only
too vividly.