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Show MEDALS FOR WORLD WAR MEN Tokens Will Be Distributed by Legion to Ex-Service Men of Country on Armistice Day. Presentation of the Victory medals, to which 4.S0O.0OO soldiers, sailors nnd marines are entitled for service In the World war, will be curried out in thousands of communities through the agency of the American Legion on Armistice day. Acceptance of the Legion's offer to aid the war department depart-ment In the distribution of the medals med-als has been received by Franklin D'Olier, the national commander, and plans are already under way in many localities for the staging of elaborate ceremonies in connection with the formal for-mal presentation. An appeal for all of the 0.300 posts of the Legion to co-operate in the medal distribution enterprise In order that the celebration of Armistice day "may be memorable for years to come" was sent to the heads of all departments depart-ments by Mr. D'Olier. "It Is with wholesome pride In the triumph of our arms in the most crucial cru-cial test of strength lu history," he wrote, "that the Legion appeals to all Americans- to make Armistice day 1020, memorable for years to come. We desire that it sh?il be above nil else, a tribute to our coemtry and our flag and the flags of our allies. In other sense it should be a solemn affectionate dedication of our lives to the principles for which more than 100,000 of our countrymen and millions mil-lions of our comrades-in-arms made the greatest sacrifice." Not only will the presentation of the medals be marked by impressive ceremonies in every city and town in the country but celebrations will be f ""-PS?"---!! V '-aes - J, x a.Tws .iroa,. ssS -- ,-..?.....vi,jc..:.y..- -.Clyf,; .,-f..Jk SY. SU8 I EL Tj ' v V " J Victory Medal With Five Battle Clasps as Worn by the Men of the Second Division. held in nineteen insular possessions of the United States and in a number of foreign countries where there are established es-tablished posts of the Legion. Had it not been for the initiative of the American Legion there would be no ceremony attached to the distribution distribu-tion of the medals, Mr. D'Olier points out. "I believe the American Legion can take a justifiable pride in the fact that but for it there would have been no formal observance at all of the presentation of the Victory medal," he said. "L'nder the original plan of distribution applicants were to apply individually, either tnrough a recruiting recruit-ing station or military or navy post or direct to the adjutant general of the army or the secretary of the navy. Medals were to be sent by mail to the home address of the recipient. The award of a token so significant as the Victory medals marks an epoch in our history and should, and will be, Invested Invest-ed with appropriate ceremony." Post commanders are now drawing from the government the official application appli-cation forms with which to supply the ex-service men In their communities. The posts of New York city are providing pro-viding typewriters and the free services serv-ices of notaries to all applicants, Inasmuch In-asmuch as it is necessary that all forms be typewritten and certified. Any veteran may apply to any one of the 0,500 posts in the Legion to make application for his medal. This offer applies to non-members as well as members of the Legion. Special consideration will be given gold star mothers and other next-of-kin who are entitled to the medals of men who died In the service. Unless the applicant appli-cant otherwise specifies, medals applied ap-plied for through Legion channels will be retained in charge of the commander command-er of the post through which the application appli-cation was made, until Armistice day when the formal presentation will be i made. Men who already have applied for their medals through other channels may turn them In to any Legion post for presentation on November 11. |