The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-05-18
MEANING OF MEMORIAL DAY
Is Explained by Ladies Of G. A. R. Pa
triotic Instructor.

Editor, Times Having been again
Ladies of the Grand Army, / would ask
for space in your paper to send my an
nual message to the school children in
regard to pre- Memorial day.
| / do not know that have ever told
them in my letters that the members OF
this order are women closely related to
the veterans of the Civil war. Like the
Daughters of the Revolution. they are
banded together to keep alive the mem
DRY of the deeds done by their fathers,
| husbands. sons, brothers and uncles in
the dark days of '6l'65, and when they
tell the story can say that in their veins
flows the blood OF brave and noble
soldier.
| 1t is this bond that awakens kindred
and sympathetic pulse in the heart of
our order, heritage that will not cease
when we enter our long dreamless sleep
our descendants will still carry the
message and remain a living monument
dedicated to the boys of '6l'65.
OF the boys and young men that
marched away in those days there now
remains but thin blue line, whose quiet
/ march Of peace leads on into the shad-
ows, and their younger brothers, the
United Spanish war veterans, already
have many gaps in their ranks. Time
has not only thinned their number. as
the fields of fluttering flags testify in
our silent cities of the dead, but many
walk with faltering steps and would
ask you to be not forgetful to strew a
generous share of the fragrant blossoms
Sc 1n,v, ;,, hn
pathway of those who remain.
May is, the anniversary of the first
Hague conference, is now observed as
peace and arbitration day. We need
such reminder, that its lesson should
not be lost Just now difficulties be-
yond our borders are claiming much at
tention and at this time our hearts are
deeply touched and saddened by the 60
ing out the lives of the IT, who did well
their part. All honor to them. Let us
make some observance Of this anniyer
sary and at all times exert our infu-
enee to hasten the day when these I'M
fortunate conditions besetting our nation
and Others shall be at an end.
Centuries ago in foreign countries pa
triotism meant fidelity to a king, tribe,
a hero, and that fidelity was marked by
cruelty and war. The people called it
patriotism, but it was war, and such
fidelity was not in harmony with peace.
Good citizenship makes the patriot and
we should love our flag not because it
waved in many battles, but for what it
represents liberty, justice, equality
government of the people, by the people,
and for the people," The finest type of
man is the good citizen, as well as the
good soldier. Whether in war or peace
an exalted type of manhood and woman
hood is needful.
The soldiers OF the Civil war who are
with us yet through all these long years
have built up citizenship, have con-
tributed to a nations welfare They not
only fought and saved the flag, but have
upheld the principles for which it stands.
They have taught a patriotism, an al
legiance to country that will be an in
spiration for all generations to come,
and it is great privilege that the boys
and girls of to-day can assist veterans
of the Grand Army in their labor of love
for their departed comrades on Memo
rial day and discourage its use for sports
and amusements.
In closing, let me remind you, my dear
children, that OF all the lnanimate things
in this great land of ours, there is moth
ing so beautiful as the broad stripes
and bright stars" Of old glory, floating
over your schoolhouse. The year 1914
marks the centennial of "The Star Span
gled Banner" our national anthem,
penned by Francis Scott Key when, after
many anxious hours during heavy fight
ing, he still saw the flag through the
smoke. waving over Fort McHenry.
In the pure atmosphere of our Green
mountains. we ought to be able to see
its glistening folds whenever school is in
session. ! am sorry to say we often
look in vain, but am glad to be able to
say regard for the flag to-day is more
in evidence to-day than ever before. So
long as our people respect the stars and
stripes there will be little danger of
falling off in patriotism.
Yours in patriotic endeavor.
Mrs. H. Z. Batchelder Flagg.
East Braintree, Vt, Nav Ia, 1914