The San Francisco call., 1896-05-31
Presidio National Cemetery the Scene of
Beautiful and Impressive Memorial
Tributes.

A. j. Vining commander, turned out In
fine form, and. the comrades were in line
on time. Some of the disabled veterans
rode in carriages, but 80 per cent of those
attending marched.
The veterans were followed by Garrison
101, Regular Army and Navy Union; Sons
of the American Revolution, Valentine
Holt Society, Sons and Daughters OF the
American Revolution, childten of the
public schools and guests in carriages.
The division composed OF the foregoing
troops and societies was commanded by
General William NJ. Graham, post COM
lnander at the Preside; Lieutenant Will
| liam w. Galbraith, post adjutant, was on
duty with the general.
The column, headed by the Fifth United
States Artillery band, Frederick Frank
leader, moved from the parade field, near
the terminal station of the carline, and
halted on the parade ground proper of the
Preside. There the Fifth Artillery and
First Infantry, n. G. c., formed in column
of masse, and halted, while Grand Army
veterans and others passed by en- route to
the National cemetery. The veterans OF
/ Thomas Post stepped to the inspiring
music of Marching Through Georgia"
| The regular troops were marched to their
quarters and dismissed, while the National
| Guardsmen returned to the large parade
| field for evolution.
| Facing the granite monument erected
] by George H. Thomas Post in the south
easterly section of the cemetery platform
capable of accommodating the band and
100 guests had been constructed. The seats
! for the assem- blage were placed on the in
cline facing the speakers platform, and on
either side of the monument. The forest
growth beyond the cemetery boundary
formed the background of the assemblage.
The people who listened to the music and
oratory had a magnificent view OF the bay
and the mountains of the Coast range. A
large floral piece representing a Grand
Army badge, and another piece, anchor
shaped, were placed against the railing in
front of the stand. Between the two
emblems was the posts portrait of General
George II. Thomas.
Throughout the cemetery were scattered
men, women and children i'll groups with
flowers In bouquets, wreaths and garlands
ready TO place on the graves at the firing
of the guns. While the people were as
sembling and taking positions on the
grassy spaces not marked as graves the
band discoursed delightful music. When
all was ready the post flag was waved three
times as signal to Captain Thorp, and
the firing began. simultaneously the
graves were stlewn with flowers.
AT the conclusion OF the artillery salute,
A. j. Vining, commander of Thomas Post,
spoke as follows:
Comrades and friends: The duty of to-day is
OF peculiar and impressive significance. We
meet to honor our dead and to deepen our rev.
erence for their worth; 10 strengthen among
ourselves the bond of fraternity which
binds US together as comrades, by recalling the
memories of past experiences common TO us
all; to encourage larger and more generous
charity for those of our comrades who are sick
or In distress, and for the needy and destitute
wards of the Grand Army; TO renew our pledge
OF loyalty TO our flag and country and to en-
phasize in the minds and hearts of all who
10 n no Twill =,
patriotism.
1t is expected that throughout our services
each one will manifest the most courteous and
reverent decorum. Let our soldierly deport-
ment be such that we may worthily honor
1.-The graves we decorate" ''the memories We
cherish" "the flag we salute" and the Grand