The Washington times., 1905-05-30
SCENE IMPRESSIVE
At SOLDIERS HOME
Exercises in Charge of
Henry Wilson Post.
GRAFTON OF RABBI SIMON
Astor Command, Veterans Of Institu-
tion, and Invited Guests Participate
in the Ceremonies.
GRAFTON OF RABBI SIMON

AT 10 o'clock this morning the Sol
diers' Home hugler sounded assembly
IN the cemetery of the Soldiers Home,
and the ceremonies incident TO Memorial
Day began As the notes of the bugle
died away over the graves of the dead
heroes, the Soldiers Home Band played
Godard's beautiful offertory, "Pensee,'
ending with Nearer. My God. to Thee.
the voices OF ali present being lifted in
chorus.
Half an hour earlier those who went to
decorate the graves of the soldiers who
rest in the graveyard at the home.
gathered in front OF the Scott building,
where the parade was formed. At its
head was the Soldiers Home Band, i'm
mediately behind which came the COM
nlittees and officers of the home, the chap
Iains, the poet and the reader. Follow
ing these were the choir from ST. Paul $
Church. Henry Wilson Post, No. II, G.
a r.; J. J. Astor's Command, S. W.
V; veterans of the home and invited
guests. The beauty of the procession
was greatly enhanced by the presence of
many little children with their arms fuli
of flowers. The procession went tea the
cemetery, where the exercises were held.
Exercises in Cemetery.
The ceremonies were opened by B. P.
Entrikir. senior vice department COM
nander, G A r.. who had charge of
the exercises of the day. After speaking
few vords of welcome to the visitors
ana thinking them on behalf of the liv-
ing veterans for their touching tribute
to those that are dead, Commander En-
trikin introduced the Rev. Edward N,
Southgate of the Soldiers Home, who
delivered the invoca ton. Jesus. Saviour
OF My Soul, was sung by Mrs. Chase,
Miss Bernheimef and Mr.. Randolph,
With a full chorus
after this an appropriate patriotic
poem, Memorial Day, by DR.. Thomas
Calyer. was read. FolioMIng these nss
sic by the choruSes and chofrS and pand,
together with the reading of the recita-
ton OF s.In Memorfam by Miss Mary
Ford.
Rabbi Simon's Address.
The Grafton of the day was by Rabbi
Abram Simon, who said in part;
Decoration Day Is both a memorial
and a nlonition. As a memorial 1t does
not strike a funeral note It's music IS
rather written in measures OF tender
gratitude and chastened joy. Its minor
strains are reminiscent and soon rise
into the major OF. a 'Te Deum when
we realize the valor OF those whom We
love TO honor and OF the united Repub-
lie which their heroiSr1 made possl ple-
me feccnc4inS spirit u %sAS de-S i1@lH9
washed away all rancoroGs bitterness
or gloating triumph. There is no con-
QueTed or conqueror.
Amid these whitened footprints on
the sands of time we catch the true
idea in believing that could those who
lie eftombed at our feet see a unlteo
America strong and grateful, they
would rejoice that their sacrifice hdd
wrought so glorious a consummatfon.
Veterans of Spanish War.
In his tribute to the living members Of
the Grand Army OF the Republic DR..
Simon included the soldiers and sailors
of the recent Sranish-American war.
.sAIl honor TO them." he said, 'who
at their countryS call came from farm
and factory. bench and bank. hovel OF
penury and home OF luxury, to lay their
fortunes and their lives on the altar OF
humanity! All honor to them, whether
death came in the open or IN the dark,
camp from pestilentia1 fever. or on the
seas from accident or betrayal All
honor to these men because or whose
matchiess bravery Americas S name and
power have become dreaded and re-
spected, and its flag the emblem OF
flowers in profusion covered the
graves at the home, while the American
flag was draped about many of the
tonbstones. The grave Of ''Black Jack
Logan received particular attention.
The decorating Of the graves was per-
formed under the direction of a com
mittee consisting OF the officers and
members of Lafayette ". r. c., No. TO-
of which Mrs. Hester a. Wyman is
chairman A great part Of the laying
on of the flowers was done by the chill
dren of the public schools.