Letter from Lloyd H. MacMorran of Los Angeles Regarding President Hoover’s Lincoln Day Address

LLOYD H. MACMORRAN THE SUITE 325 WASHINGTON BUILDING PHONE MUTUAL 7731 Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA FED 18 STATE 1932 HOUSE February 13 1932 The Honorable Herbert Hoover, President of the United States, Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C. My dear Mr. Hoover: Permit me to congratulate you on your timely and inspiring Lincoln's Birthday address. It sounds notes of confidence and fortitude sorely needed in these trying days, when harmony of spirit, ef- fort and accomplishment is most urgently essential. Your allusion to the present crisis in terms of ac- tual combat on the field of battle is relevant. May I recount briefly an experience - shortly after the armistice - in France? One which may well con- vey a lesson to all Americans, to-day: My brother and I had the honor and the privilege of being members of the American Expeditionary Forces. He was killed in action, but a few days before Nov- ember 11, 1918. Learning of his death, weeks later, I secured leave from my division and went to Beaumont ( Ardennes ) where I found his grave. In the immediate vicin- ity of his mound were numerous other crosses, each marking the fall of a Second Division soldier. I jotted down some of the names, as indicated on the attached If dog tags " or identification disks. They read something like this: Murphy, Cohen, Schultz, Peterson, Manero, Renaud, MacMorran. A roll call of nations - all of and for America - presenting a united front! To me it was a sermon. And so, as you, Sir, so ably point out, it seems to - 2 - The Honorable Herbert Hoover. me that Americans are again advancing, shoulder to shoulder, in another great offensive. Faithful adherence to the highest standards of morale, esprit de corps, is again strongly evi- denced. And - America and Americans will once more triumph. With renewed expressions of my admiration and re- spect for your able and courageous leadership, I am, Sir, Earnestly yours, LHM:BB. February 18, 1932. P.P.F. 200- address Day My dear Mr. MacMorran: The President wishes me to thank you for your letter of February 13, which he has been greatly interested in reading. He is indeed glad to know that you liked his address on Lincoln's Birthday. Sincerely yours, LAWRENCE RICHEY Secretary to the President Mr. Lloyd H. MacMorran, Suite 325, Washington Building, Los Angeles, Calif. bsp