Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-30

viving veterans of the Union army now
organized as the Grand Army of the Re
public. who did battle i'm defense of the
government during the years from 1861
to 1885. and having done to turn over
the conduct of the proceedings to our
good friend Mr.. Shoemake-. to whom,
with his patriotic e.gh5ors. is due all the
credit which the excellence OF the ar
engagements calls for.
These veterans like to regard the an
nual memorial services as the spontaneous
payment of homage by q later generation
to men who faced the enemy in battle in
defense OF the institutions under which
the United States has reached it's present
proud place among the nations of the
world. More than 2bJ.Uth OF those men
gave up their lives on the battlefield in
that defense. but several hundred thou
sands still survive who. when those COM
rades fell. were at their side: and whose
lives were as freely offered. but who for
some wise purpose have been spared until
the present.
The survivors prefer to stand in the
background and listen to the sentiments
of appreciation expressed by patriotic
citizens rather than themselves to sound
the praises of those who fell in actions in
which the survivors participated.
Sentiment of the Soldier.
I'VE all feel thrill Of patriotic pride
when see the Stars and Stripes float
ing peacefully above us in the azure vault
of heaven. But in order to fully APP
preciate all that orr flag means and rep
resents must have followed it into the
smoke of battle or Seen IL for the first
time after months u pr.vaton in hostile
prison pen. as. almost naked. filthy and
enlaciated. he has honDied along bare
footed toward the outpost Of his friendly
forces.
1T is impossible FOR others to imagine
l,,,f =.
when alone realizes Tor that flag and
what il represents. He was ena BLEED by
!. kind providence To put his lie in
jeopardy not once. but many times, and
this realization is the proud possession of
every surviving veteran. which no power
or earth can deprive him u and which
no amount Of money could buy.
Soon there Will BE- no surviving vet
Grams Of The civil war. During the last
year oao graves We're added 10 the
Arlington cemetery. When that time
arrives the p-rpetuati"n OF these memorial
ceremonies must depend exclusively upon
patriotic citizens.
Looking forward to that time. we feel
inclined To JON with the poet IN his eN-
ciamation: Lord God of hosts be with
US yet lest forget.
Chorus of School Children.
Lewis C. White recited The Battle OF
Fort Stevens" Invocation was delivered
by Rev Father Joseph MCGEE of Sacred
Heart Catholic Churcn.
The Soldiers Home Band rendered three
selections during the afternoon. They
were 'Romance--I .onsins, by BendiX:
Sweet Memories, 10y zimmerman;
'America, in which the entire company
Joined.
Children from the public schools oil
Bright wood, Brightwood Park, Takoma
and Petworth sang The Star Spangied
|
Ocean" ard THE Battle Hymn of he Re
public" Frank Howard sang My own
Cnted States
Mr.. Shoemaker's Remarks.
An address was made By Louis =. Shoe
maker He said:
! Annually we meet in this little GENE
terry To- do honor TO those who lost the;r
lives in the battle of Fort Stevens during
Earlys raid at the close of the civil war.
These exercises. although held under
| the direction of the Grand Army of the
Republic. are to IL great extent. our own.
and belong to our community. Until taken
up by the Brightwood Citizens ASsocia-
ion four or five years ago no formal
ceremonies were he'd here Now we sue
coed in securing the attendance OF several
hundred people each year.
I'VE desire to make these memorial ex-
ercises impressive and interesting to the
older people and a lesson of patriotism to
the young folks. The children will sing
patriotic songs and place flags and flow
ers upon the graves.
I'VE, the people of Brightwood, are
proud of these exercises. The cha lman
of each committee and the members of
the various committees appreciate the
support YOU have given. 1t has enabled
US to make this occasion u success
Il realize more than | did four years
ago. when we naugurated these cere-
monies. that The lesson thus impaired is
one calculated to instill d feeling of pa
triot ism in the children. For our coun-
try Il great service can thus be rendered.