Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-29
WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS.
General Orders Regarding the Oh.
servance Of Memorial Day.

Headquarters Dept. of Maine Woman's
heiief Corps. Auxiliary to the Grand
Army OF the Republic
Oakland. Me-. April IL, 1905.
General Orders, No 2.
Memorial Day.
once more the whirling wheels of
'ime are bringing us near to that sa-
creu day that has been set apart to
honor 4he memory of those brave men
VINO died in defence of their nations
nag and who, in so many cases. now
sleep in unknown and unmarked
The debt of gratitude that we owe
the dead soldiers of the Civil War Is
one that can never be repaid by either
words or tears. but by placing flags ard
Eowers ABOVE the breasts of those who
are known, and dropping the silent tear
Tor those of whom all trace is lost, we
are painting the seeds of patriotism in
the younger generations who are CON-
ing upon the stage of life, and who in
future years may be called upon to up
hold the destinies of our country and
protect the honor of our flag. The ex-
ample set and sealed in the blood of
our patriotic dead is the priceless Legal
cy that has been left by them to gen.
erations yet unborn. Let it not be for
gotten that in honoring them we do
honor to ourselves and kindle tie fires
OF patriotism, which can alone sustain
and prolong the life of a republic. Our
loved and departed heroes died that
liberty might survive. Once more Me-
| mortal Day approaches. Let it be the
duty of each Relief Corps in Maine. to
see that no soldiers grave within their
jurisdiction goes unhonored or ur-
| marked. Hunt out those who sleep in
| neglected spots and plant the forget
| me-nOt wnere now the wild weeds
grow. Have our Memorial Service for
these who sleep beneath the oceans
| wave. Do not forget that
| They sleep beside each Northern hill,
And by the distant Southern lea;
By lake and river. stream and rill,
And some beneath the dark blue sea
| Cnnumbered be their lonely tombs.
And OFT unmarked the soldiers bed;
We only know the wild flower blooms
Above the turf where rest our dead.
Act in unison with your Post and
render the living heroes whatever as
l
| work. Gather for them the bursting bud
and blooming flowers, with which they
may decorate the graves of those who
| once fought by their side. There is no
nobler or loftier service that you can
perform than to aid in replacing the
| thistle and the weed with the fragrant
flowers of spring.
1t is requested that the graves Of all
Army Nurses be decorated, as they
have earned this distinction by thei:.
noble work.
Arouse your citizens to the impOr-
lance of a hearty corporation, call
into your service and parade the chill
dren of our public schools i'm order to
impress upon their plastic minds that
to yield up life in the cause of freedom
is to secure a fame that can never,
never die.
80 fallen soldier! Now a nations pride
Well sound thy praises as the seasons
This mournful day recalling scenes SO
drear,
Still shall we hail with sorrow year by
year.
The hand of Death shall never break the
chain
That binds thee to thy comrades who re-
The flowers of spring we'll place above
And mark with flags thy final place of
rest.
That flag. bright emblem of hundred
years
OF freedom won through heroes blood
and tears;
More glorious still its starry folds shall
wave
Above the turf which marks each soldiers
Each lingering tear which silent grief
dstills.
Embalms their valor and the bosom
thrills,
O may those tears each human heart ex
plore
And fall from eyes that never wept be-
fore.
On that foundation shall their fame be
reared.
Adored by patriots and by traitors
That fame through future ages yet shall
Transmitted by each loyal sire to son
Sleep on brave soldier. Through the cy-
press tree
We see the shimmcring light which
speaks of thee.
For angel hands display through gates
a1ar,
To us tn. beauty of brighter star.
Whose glory yet shall cheer the feetinS
And guide it upward to it's heavenly goal.
Long may the bay leaves of the poet s
lays
Adorn the tributes offered in thy praise:
And like the last notes of the dying swan.
Increase in sweetness as the years roll
on"
BY command of
ALICE S. GILMAN.