The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-31
Veterans Of '6I Pay Tribute To
 Memory Of Comrades
Splendid Weather for Me noria1 Day Exercises Grafton By Commander Wilder.

Bright sunlight, gayly dressed crowds, and vari-colored military uni- forms combined to enliven the streets in the center of the city yesterday af- ternoon when Bridgeport turned out in thousands to do honor to the mem ory of the boys of '61." The day was an ideal one, the finest one the veter- ans had for their Memorial Day cele- bration in six years, and every num- Der on the days program was carried out as had been planned for.
 The parade, long one, was headed by five p1atoons of Bridgeport's finest with Captain Anderson mounted on spirited charger in the lead. The Wheeler and Wilson band came next in line and several other bands ln- c1uding the Coast Artillery, the Italian Marine, and the Dove fife and drum corps were in line.
 The order of march was the same as outlined in The Farmer and the exer- cises at Seaside park were also as planned, everything Abeing carried out without a single hitch. The G. A. R. veterans many of whom marched the entire distance to the park and back to the city hall, were enthusiastically applauded all along the line as were the mem bers of the militia and the Coast Artillery.
 The school boys and the members of the Boy Scouts of America came in for their share of recognition and de- served the applause which they re- ceived for they certainly made a fine showing.
 In contrast with the vitality still retained by the many veterans who yesterday marched over the route without apparent discomfort or great fatigue, many of the younger school children felt the Journey and; during the ceremonies at Seaside park fell ex- hausted upon the ground. First aid treatment was given in many in stances by the Boy Scouts in the form of smelling salts, and draughts of water. One youth, living on Pine street was sent home by Lieut.. Fred erick w. Webb in a proffered automo- bile.
 The speaker of the day at the Sea side Park exercises was Commander Frank M. Wilder. He told of the causes which have made Memorial Day possibIe and stated tEat all tAs duties which we owe to our country on this day of the year might be sum med up in that sublime address of the martyred Lincoln which he made on the field of Gettysburg.
 The. Grand Army he said was organ ized for the following purposes:
 First, To aid the government in the great work of reconstruction and to perpetuate the cause for which they fought, namely, That our country should remain undivided and our flag maintained unsulIied.
 "Secondly-An organization which would teach the three great cardinal principles of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty
 In conclusion he said: ''Our work is almost done. Only a few years more can we, as an organization, hope to head this great work The work must be shifted to younger and stronger shoulders, to our Sons and our Daugh- ters, to our Citizens Corps, and others of those patriotic organizations who, we believe stand ready to take up the work, the burden we can no longer bear. We believe that this hope will be fulfilled. As we look around us today, we see the flag, which we love and for which so many of our com rades died, held and waved by those young hands which later will be ready to maintain it against all foes either at home or abroad