The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-06-01

Another Mem norfal day has come and gone and veterans of two wars have paid their customary tribute of re- spect to their comrades who sleep in the last bivouac. How rapidly death has thtnned the ranks of the veterans of the Civil war was viyid1y shown yesterday by the small number of the l members of the Grand Army of the Republic in the parade. But 51 men1- bers of Elias Howe, Jr., Post, No. 3. e! A. R., essayed to march to Seaside park for the exercises at the Soldiers and Sailors monument, and of these onIy&44 attempted the return march to the point of dismissal.
 There were 42 veterans who rode in carriages, making a total of less than 100 who participated in the parade, the smallest number recorded since the ob- servance of Memorial day was begun 1 in Bridgeport. Last year 68 veterans marched and in all nearly 150 were in 1 the parade. Death since has claimed i a number and the inf1rnities of their years prevented others from even rid- ing in the carriages around the line of march.
 While the ranks of their fathers. or- ganization are rapidly thinning the ranks of the Sons of Veterans are in- Ecreasing More than 15o members of marched at the head of the Second Dd- vision led by Commander Robert H. hart. This is the largest number of
 Sons of Veterans ever in a, Memorial
 day parade here. They wore dark
 clothes, white gloves, boutoniers with
 badges, and carried canes. At the head of the column they carried a 1 huge wreach which was placed at the 1 feet of the bronze soldier on the mon l ument in memory of Lieut.. Franklin Bartlett for whom the camp was named.
 The Sons of Veterans also carried
 a floral anchor from Angeline Bart lett Tent, Daughters of Veterans
 which was placed at the feet of the
 sailor on the opposite. This tribute
 was to the sailors killed in the Civil
 war.
 l The Spanish War veterans made a
 fine showing. Lieut.. N. w. Bishop
 camp of this city was accompanied l by a number of the n1eInbe CTS of the New Haven camp. They made a
 handsome appearance in their natty uniforms of blue and gray. More
 than a 100 were in the line including a number in civilian clothes. The ESpanish war veterans followed the | Grand Army and took part with them in the exercises at the monument. i After the parade had been dismiss ed the Grand Army men were enter Etained with a luncheon at Masonic 1 Temple by the Gen Si11iman Chap l ter, Sons of the American Revolution l During the lunch Harry Herbert play ed war time songs on the piano ane the soldiers sang the choruses. There
 were speeches by John Doolitt1e Judge A. B. Beers. Commander vii. liam M: Barnum and Russell Glenr I after the lunch.
 The Sons of Veterans had Iuncf at Grand Army hall, served by the fDaughters of Veterans and Lincolr
 circle, Ladies of the G. A. R. The I E2Y.iH ole 1,7S z lunch there and gave a concert after. l ward.
 The Spanish War veterans had g l collation at Odd FelIowse hall 1T Broad street, served by members o1 1 Major BonesteeI auxiliary.
 1 On Sunday morning the member. l of the Grand Army, Sons of Veteran and Spanish War veterans had placed I flowers on the graves of veterans il all cemeteries in the city and vicinity