Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-19
MEMORIAL DAY.
Supt. Barrett Issues Suggestions I,
Schools for Observance of Event.


Supt. Barrett Issues Suggestions to
Schools for Observance of Event.
Ottumwa instructors in the public
schools have received leaflet from
State Superintendent r. G. Barrett,
with reference to the observance OF
Memorial day in the public schools of
the state. In his communication he
advocates the general observance Of
the day as means of teaching to the
youth of the state the lessons of pa
triotism.
Superintendent Barrett introduces
his leaflet with the quotation from the
late President Benjamin Harrison:
Let the national flag float over every
school room in the country, and the
exercises be such as shall impress up
on our youth the patriotic duties Of
American citizenship"
A Sacred Day.
The state superintendent says:
To the Teachers and Pupils of the
Public Schools of Iowa: Memorial day
has been dedicated as sacred to the
nations loyal dead, and should be so
honored and observed by every school
in the state. 1t stands not only for ma,
tionality; but symbolizes the indestruc
tibility of the republic through the
yalor and devotion of its patriotic clti.
zens By a correct observance of this
day the children and young people can
demonstrate to the old soldiers that
gratitude is the fairest flower of the
heart" And We are confident that nc
other exercises will give them so much
genuine pleasure as those presented
| by the schools. One writer has said
| that 'if the men whom the day com.
memorates could look down from the
| battlements of that undiscovered
country whittier they have gone, upon
| the countless memorials placed to their
| memory, they would be deeply moved
by these expressions of the gratitude
of the nation, But they would be more
profoundly moved could they see the
children of the land gathered year after
year to pay homage to their memory
For the granite will crumble away, the
pictured canvas grow dim, the stately
buildings decay; but to be cherished
in the memory of our youth is to live
in perpetual springtime."
/ In each community where there is a
/ Grand Army Post or Womans Relief
Corps. it will be we'll to invite suoh
4
exercises. And where no such organ
izations exist all the veterans of the
school district should have special in
Il vitations to be present and take some
active part
This leaflet is prepared and publish
! ed with the hope that it may be a
guide to the teachers in planning their
exercises for Memorial day of this
/ year. A suggestive program is given
which may be helpful in arranging one
| suited to local conditions. During the
days of preparation the teacher should
make good use of the opportunity to.
teach patriotism by presenting noble
examples of self-sacrifice. of gallant
deeds, and heroic fortitude.
Expressing the hope that the day
may be one of pleasure, profit and pa
triotism, am sincerely.
Richard G. Barrett,
Superintendent Public Instruction.
He suggests the following programs,
made up of selections found in special
day books of 1901 and 1902:
: For Lower Grades.
Song. 1901, God Bless Our Native
+ Land"
Il EXERCISE. 1902, 1.-The Little Army"
Q Recitation, 1901, "a Child's Offer
r ing"
t Song. 1902, "Nly Brave Soldier Boy ;
n Exercise, 1901, blossoms, o Flow
S ers."
Concert recitation. 1901, The Chill
h dren's Pledge"
r. Address by member w. R. G.
d Song, 1902, 1--WE Are Little Soldier
f. Men"
Recitation, 1902, "The Better Way
Recitation, 1901, For Me and Fol-
You"
d. Motion song, 1901, Our Flag
Il Exercise, 1902, "Our Tribute"
in Song, America"
n For Higher Grades.
e. Song, Battle Hymn of the Repub
ell lic.'
1e recitation, 1901, "The Influence 0
i: Heroic Deeds"
n. Reading, 1901, "The Heroines of tn
e, War"
es Recitation, 1902, picket Guard
et Song. "The Vacant Chair"
H. Address by veteran.
MS Reading, 1902, "The Army of Peace.
re Recitation, 1901, "The Roll CALI
ks Song, "The Star Spangled Banner.
A. Roll call, 1901, response with quot'
nd tons
tysburg."
re- can War"
CHI Song, "sleep, Comrades, Sleep
IN. Recitation, 1901, 1--WE Mourn Il
AL"
w. recitation, 1901. Memorial Day"
W Concert recitation, 1902, Our H
sy- roes."
er. Song, America"
el,
Fl CAPT PERiSHING RELIEVED.