The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-05-29
Veterans Day.

Tomorrow Is the day set apart by the
Grand Army Of the Republic, the great
National organization of veterans of the
Civil war, for exercises In memory of
the dead heroes of that war and for the
decoration of their graves with the fresh
flowers of spring.
This custom and ceremony has now
been continuously observed since the
year 1867 by members of the Grand
Army wherever there is post of that
worthy and honored order, assisted by
members of Women's Relief Corps, and
BY veterans in places where there are no
posts. No custom has been more pa
triotieally observed. The day has lost
nothing of its significance to veterans
and to the best people of our country.
1t is doubtful whether any other memo
rial day in the history of this country
or any other, has been so continuously
and faithfully observed for so long
period as this one in honor of the SER
vice and sacrifice of the veterans of war
waged in lS6l-5 for the life of the Nation
and for the preservation of the Union.
This observance means more than
honor to those whose graves are de 'orat-
ed. 1t incidentally applies to all veter-
snSwhether dead or living. The idea of
service is the thing honored whether
that service is intensified By sacrifice of
life or not. Every man who served with
fidelity and did his every duty to his
country with fortitude is entitled to the
full measure of credit that he is alive
today detracts nothing from the value
Of his service, or the honor that attaches
to a courageous faithful soldier In the
srmy of his country.
1t goes further than this, and is tri-
butte to the cause for which these veter-
ans fought and the country they saved.
1t is tribute to patriotism, that holy
principle which sanctified the service of
veterans and for which many of them
died.
We are Al years away from the begin
ming Of the most sanguinary war of
modern times, and 81 years away from
It's close. The graves of veterans are
becoming more numerous year by year.
and the comrades to decorate them are
becoming fewer and fewer as the years
roll around. The time is speedily ap.
preaching when there will be no veter-
az left to decorate the veterans graves.
1t is inevitable. Will the custom out
live the veteran or will it subside into
disuse? 1t Ia problem we do not have
to solve today but one that will have to
be solved before many years.
We have been accustomed to say that
the sons of the veterans will perform the
ceremony and this hope may be realized,
but the same interest will not attach to
the service as now is manifested by COM
fades 1t Is hardly reasonable that even
one generation away from this time that
others will have the same interest as do
comrades themselves. We may how
WI saiClJ iCdfC ILLS W SUBS VI V6IeId DS,
to the loyal women who now render
such effective aid in the ceremony, and to
the patriotic citizens of our country.
They will see to it that the day is not
forgotten.
The effect Of Observance of Memorial
DAY by the veteran has caused the day to
oeutilzed in general way by citizens,
May 30 is largely observed by our people
10 oeautify the graves of loved ones and
10 place flowers thereon. The custom
sllkely to increase rather than diminish.
Inc sentiment is growing and spreading
honor to the memory Of the dead is
worthy impulse and the country and
people are better and nobler for giving
oppression to this impulse. Memorial
Jay has wide significance and its in
uuenee is sanitary. Long may its in.
Huenee be felt in our land.
"
Some one asks why we do not offer in