The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-05-31
VETERANS HONOR
MEMORY Of OUR
PATHOLOGICAL
Annual Memorial Exercices for
Defenders of the Nation
PROGRAM AT SOLDIERS HOME
Grafton by Rev. Thornton r. Turner
and the Usual Readings and
Singing.

Favored by pleasant weather the
observance of Memorial day Friday
was more impressive than usual.
Despite advancing age and thinning
ranks the veterans turned out in
good numbers and the graves of
every soldier in town were decorated
and marked with national flags,
while the exercises were listened to
by large crowds.
The streets were well filled all day
and the trolley cars brought in scores
from surrounding towns, including a
number from North Adams, Hoosick
Falls and Pittsfield who took advan-
tage of the holiday to enjoy a pleas
ant trolley ride through the Berk-
sbires.
Some of the stores and business
places were open until noon but
those that remained open later than
l o'clock, except the ice cream par
Tors did but little business. The
factories were closed and nearly
everyone was given an opportunity
to properly observe the day. A con-
siderable number spent the day in
other places but as many came here
from out of town. The afternoon
and evening dances were well at
tended
Decorating the graves in the GENE
teries, which usually falls on Memoir
ial day morning, this year took place
earlier in the week, and the forenoon
exercises included a Memorial SER
vice on the School street bridge by
the Woman's Relief Corps, with in
vited guests, commanders of posts,
Sons of Veterans and school chill |
dren, for the Sailors and Marins |
dead. The service was conducted by |
Mrs. E. NJ. Marsden. President of the
w. r. c., Commander A. Nj, Downs |
and Chaplin George Reynolds Of the
post, and senior vice-president, Mrs. |
j. George Hudgins, secretary, Miss |
Ruth Smith and Chaplain, Miss Mel
lie Clark of the corps.
At IL o'clock the members of |
George A. Custer, 9Th corps post and |
other G. A. r. men assembled at the
post rooms for dinner served by
members of the w. r. G. The band
Memorial service at the village GENE
terry was conducted by Rev. Philip
Schuyler of Portland, Me, formerly
rector of st. Peters church,
At one o'clock the line of march
formed on School street and with
music by the Bennington City band
marched to the Vermont Soldiers
home grounds where the principal
exercises of the day were held. In
the parade, which was headed by
Chief Marshal Albert NJ. Downs and
Aids, Dwight H. Rudd and c. NJ
were the Boy Scouts OF
America, Taft commandery, Knight
led by Thomas A. Daven-
port, Camp Frank Ray. Sons of Vet
rams with Edgar S. Buss as com
mander Spanish-American veterans !
with William e. Frost as com nander.
George \. Custer. Sixth Corps post,
department of Vermont G. A. r., A.
NJ. Downs, commander, children of
Bennington graded school and the |
clergy and invited guests in car
-iages. The turn out of school chill
iren was large and formed one of ,
he brightest and most attractive
'eatures of the day. ,
The line Of march was down Main :
street. down Depot street to the
cemetery, where an impressive SER q
ice was held. A brief address was !
made by Commander A. NJ. Downs !
md the officer Of the day also spoke. 4
chaplin, George Reynolds made r
ew remarks. Nathan Madison read =
incOlns address at Gettysburg and .
(ed Healy read General Logan's or h
Ter, No. IL. The song, Tho Vacant 4
hair was creditably rendered by a
Hiss Naomi Stockwell. The servic-
s for the dead were conducted by d.
he W. r. c., and the decorating of II
he Soldiers graves Was by the vet h
rams of the soldiers home. Music =
nd taps was by the band Benedic- \
ion was said by Rev. p. l. Dow of I
he Methodist church. h
Following the service at the graves a
he band and line of march -oceeded -
D the band stand where 20 final ~
xercises were held. PhilIr T. II.
ierson acted as president ca the day .,
nd made a few well chosen remarks e,
he annual grafton was given by ii
'hornton r Turner, rector OF st. r.
eters church. Mr.. Turner gave a W
ne address. He held the attention h,
the audience from star TO finish .,
I'd the general theme Of the address
as most interesting. His remarks
ere so impressive Snet he frequent
Won applause form the audience.
{ Aese exercises Miss Stockvell n,
ing, "Tenting on the Old Camp "
round" and was heavily applauded AZ
? the soldiers and sudience. The "a
snediction was by Rev. DR.. Isaac u
snnings Of the Old First church. Ii
The band vas generous IN the ar
1mber Of selections and made a p
oct creditable showing as did All W