Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-06-07
Honoring Our Soldier Dead.

In 1861 Grand Rapids and Centralia
were prosperous villages only, but
though the population was small the
loyalty and patriotism Of their people
was great. At the call of the Govern
ment for soldiers there went out Of the
homes of the rich and the poor, fathers,
sons and brothers, the main-stay of the
families they left behind. Last Thurs
day as we followed the long procession
Of Grand Army representatives to the
cemetery, where in the ritual of the O..
a. r. we honored our soldier dead, we
were reminded Of these things; of the
aged father borne down by the weight
of years and labors unshared by sons
whose lives were sacrificed on our
country's altar; of aged mothers whose
hearts still ache for dear, dead sons,
whose lives still feel poverty and
hardship that might not have been
wives struggling on in WidowhOod,
fighting the bitter battle of life alone !;
lives, some lives, whose sun Of love
went down forever as they sent their
"world" away. We thought of the
homes of plenty, with unbroken,
happy family circles where war had
dealt kindly; and we thought Of homes
Of want and sorrow where war had
dealt deaths blows. We remembered
the days of sickness, hunger, want,
cruel imprisonment, all incidents in the
lives Of those whose memories we
reyerenced.
We honored our patriot dead proudly
Memorial day, We did our small service
gladly and with thanksgiving that ours
were brave and loyal dead. A long line
of @. A. r. men, shorter line of Sons
of Veterans, a few loyal women of the
w. r. c., and a long line of people in
carriages and on foot, men, women and
children who marched the dusty road
to lend their presence inthe ceremonies
of the day, seemed to say in one voice:
Can we do more? Is there anything
left undone? A few years ago there
would have been but one answer
possible mo! All is we'll done"
But now! To-day! We are two growing
prosperous cities. Other cities with no
greater pretentions have erected
soldiers monuments. 1t should be our
proud duty to do the same. Let our
rich men give Of their thousands, our
well-to do of their hundreds, our poor
men of their tens, and the units will
come from the mite of those whose love
and loyalty surpass their means. No
patriotic generous man will refuse his
share in the tardy recognition of the
soldiers who stood shoulder to shoulder
in the thick of battle. Those whose
beloved lie in far off battle fields
marked perchance "UnknoWn," and
those whose graves are flower strewn,
flag marked here have tender place
IN their hearts responsive to the call.
Those who gained honors and rewards
for brave deeds done will still be ready
to answer there" with generous contri-
button. Let the G. A. r. but make the
call and the Sons of Veterans, Woman's
Relief Corps, Masons, Odd Fellows,
Knights, Churches, and even school
children will give precious dollars to
help erect a memorial tablet that will
stand on our next memorial day as
tribute to our soldier dead.
Every year of waiting will but add to
the cost of lot, will but put off duty
felt, will lessen the opportunities for
old comrades to join in the sacred rites
held by the side of this altar stone
that means so much, that symbolizes
love to God and home and native land,
and honor to its defenders.