Excerpt from Naugatuck Daily News – Saturday, August 31, 1946
World War II - History Edition

Pasho, Lalor Aided More Than 2,500 Men Enroll In Armed Force Activities Of Choice

Approximately 2,500 men of the local area were assisted in enrolling in activities of their choice in the armed forces through the efforts of Ralph S. Pasho and William J. Lalor, chairman and secretary of Army and Navy Air Cadet and Personnel Procurement Committee.

The committee first was organized as the Flying Cadet Committee, but its activities took on such a wide scope that the identification was broadened. It had its origin in the adoption of a program by the Grand Lodge of Elks to render all possible assistance to the flying cadet organization.

Congressman Joseph E. Talbot, then Compensation Commissioner in this district, was first named defense chairman of the local Lodge of Elks and officers of the lodge, headed by Exalted Ruler John McGroary agreed to serve with Mr. Talbot. The first public meeting was held here October 28, 1931 with Albert Prince, city editor of the Hartford Times and state vice-chairman of the Flying Cadets as principal speaker.

The meeting led to the permanent organization with Mr. Pasho as chairman; Harold E. Chittenden, vice-chairman; Mr. Lalor, secretary and John M. Kenney in charge of publicity.

Mr. Pasho and Mr. Lalor, in constant touch with Headquarters, First Corps Area, maintained headquarters at Mr. Pasho’s office, then in the Gem theater, and were available on practically a 24-hour basis. Mr. Pasho assisted young men in the preparation of applications, procuring birth certificates and other necessary documents. He also aided in making appointments for physical and mental examinations. Mr. Lalor administered tests preparatory to the official examinations.

Refresher courses were given at the high school two nights a week and the local library made available books covering required subjects. Young men from all the towns and cities within a 30 mile radius of Naugatuck made application through the committee.

Not all applicants were acceptable to the air corps. This situation opened further activities for the committee. Mr. Pasho interviewed each of the young men to determine any hobbies or particular training which would qualify him for some other specialized activity in the armed forces.

A form of questionnaire was prepared by Mr. Lalor (which later was adopted by the Army First Corps Area) in which was set down the young man's complete description and his training and qualifications for quick appraisal by Col. William D. Cottam, Recruiting and Induction Officer for the First Corps Area, with headquarters at Boston.

Placements included direct commissions from civilian life and assignments in practically every organized branch of the Armed Forces, including Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Merchant Marine, Coast Artillery, Medical, Engineering, Chemical Warfare, Construction, Officer Training and even an army cook and a dog trainer.

For the convenience of local young men and by special arrangement with the area commanding officer, Air Corps, mental tests were conducted in Naugatuck at the Post Office, in the High School and in the Elks Lodge Rooms. On one occasion the actual induction ceremony into the Army Air Corps was conducted on the stage of the Gem theater.

In recognition of the services, a testimonial banquet was tendered Mr. Pasho and Mr. Lalor, at which the principal speaker was Past Grand Exalted Ruler of the Order of Elks Raymond P. Benjamin of Westport, a member of the Elks War Commission. He presented the guests of honor a framed “Award of Merit” in acknowledgment of their patriotic contribution to the war effort. Prominent state and local officials attended, and Congressman Talbot, on behalf of the local lodge, presented the two guests handsomely engraved wrist watches.

The following week Mr. Lalor and Mr. Pasho were honored at a banquet given by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and were presented the “Distinguished Citizenship Medal.”

The Order of Elks has again been called upon to aid in a recruiting program—this time to secure young men to join the peacetime armies of occupation and Mr. Pasho and Mr. Lalor have been asked to continue in this service.