Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-24
Waves StreWn With Blossoms
Of the Flags Color.
DEEDS REM EMBERED
PLAN ADOPTED ALL ALONG THE
PACIFIC COAST.
Observance Feasible Wherever There
is Lake, River or
Sea-


written Tor The Evening Star.
Why not make floral tributes to the re-
public's sailor dead a permanent feature Of
Memorial day throughout the country?
Thus to honor the naval heroes, whose I'M
marked graves are in the deep, elaborate
preparations are being made along the en-
tire coast of California.
The ceremony consists largely in strew-
ing flowers upon the ocean. which is thus
made literally to blossom as the rose. This
unique and beautiful idea originated with
Mrs. Armitage S. C. Forbes of Los Angeles,
Cal, to whom the inspiration came in a
curious manner. Being among other things
newspaper woman, Mrs. Forbes was anx-
ious to provide her paper with original
Memorial day story. While bordering over
it one morning she sang favorite song as
she went about the room, Cast Thy Bread
Upon the Waters" In her preoccupation
she substituted. unconsciously. flowers
for bread" Cast Thy Flowers Upon the
Waters, she carrolied and suddenly
stopped. Why not cast flowers upon the
waters which covered the sailors last rest
ing place. and thus inaugurate a custom
which should become part of the Memoir
ial day observanceS?
Being a patriotic woman Mrs. Forbes saw
in this another means of teaching patriot
ism to the young, and she, therefore, at
once determined to interest the school chill
dren in the matter. Their response through
school superintendent was most enthu-
siastic. AS a result of this, Memorial
day, a month after the idea was born
beautiful ceremonies in honor of the sailor
dead took place in the Pacific coast towns
near Los Angeles
To Santa Monica this year belongs the
distinction of having Mrs. Forbes in charge
of the ceremonies. Long Beach and other
places along the coast have been eager to
get her. but she gives the preference to
Santa Monica. because its nearness to the
Soldiers Home enables the naval veterans
there to join her at the beach and do their
part in honoring old comrades; besides
Mrs. Forbes naturally likes to be among
the veterans who have made her an honor
airy member of their association.
Unique observances at Monica.
These jolly old tars are as busy as bees
at the home just now rigging a miniature
ship, which on Memorial day will be elab-
orately trimmed with flowers and launched
from the wharf among the other emblems
sent out to sea. There is also a rumor that
they are designing a marvellous anchor.
which they will present to Mrs Forbes to
be used by her as her tribute to their de-
parted comrades whom she is interesting
the country to honor.
1t is Mrs. Forbes notion to have the OBJ
servanceS in memory of the sailors simple
but as impressive as possible. The prelim-
mary ceremonies are to be held on shore
and will consist Of patriotic speeches and
SOilSS an ADDRESS suitable TO the occasion
and part all of the service for the dead
of the National Association of Naval Vet
Grams. After this the officers in charge and
the school children are to march down to
the end of a wharf. A firing squad of sol
diers will precede and their arrival will
fire a salute over the waves. The flower
StreWing will then begin and thousands of
blossoms will be cast upon the waters.
some in gaclands, some in nautical en-
blemS. others loose, but all of red, white
and blue. The effect of the sea blossomtng
with the national colors Is most beautiful
and stirs alike the heart of young and old.
From the start Mrs. Forbes has had the
support of the highest officers of the navy,
who heartily indorse her plans. Dewey,
Sampson. Schley, Evans and many others
have written to her expressing their appre-
citation Of what she is trying to do for
those who have gone aloft forever.
Flower Trimmed and Flower Laden
Through the courtesy Of the Secretary Of
the Navy and Of Colonel Stone Of San Fran
cisco revenue cutter is TO be placed at
Mrs. Forbes disposal for the ceremonies
this year This will go out from Santa
Monica, flower trimmed and flower laden
and impressive ceremonies will be held at
sea under the auspices of the Naval Asso-
coation Women's Relief Corps Of Los An
geles. In addition to this. a service will be
held on shore by the children.
1t is the ardent desire of Mrs. Forbes to
have her floral tribute to the sailor dead
become permanent feature OF Memorial
day throughout the country. Ii need net
be limited to the coast of Californi:1-wher-
ever there is water-be it ocean, lake or
river, the thing can be done. In Places
where flowers are not abundant leaves can
be substituted and beautiful wreaths ard
garlands they make, as every one knows
This year Mrs Forbes hopes to succeed
IN getting a ship sent out from Key West
to strew flowers over Havana harbor, and
thus do honor to the victims Of the Maine
The Secretary of the Navy has promised
the ship if she can get the flowers but there
arises her difficulty, for flowers do not
grow at Havana Key West This OBJ
stacie she hopes to overcome by having
flowers donated by patriotic womer two Of
whom, Miss Helen Gould Of New York and