New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-31
Sailors, Marines, Guards
men, War Veterans and
Civic Organizations At
tend Impressive Ceremony
in Honor of Men Who
Died Defending Nation on
Land or Sea.

Unprotected from the rain, 5000 peo-
pie stood barehcaded Yesterday, many
of them without umbrellas, while
priests, their vestments dripping wet
celebrated at the navy yard the
thirteenth annual military mass for
the men who since 1916 have gwen
their lives in the defence OF the Stars
and Stripes
The altar. temporary wooden
structure. was built on a raised plat
form at the extreme north side of the
parade grounds, directly opposite the
Adelphi Street gate and in front OF the
barracks. II was banked with flowers
and completely surrounded by palms
and ferns Several candles on either
side Of the tabernacle were lighted.
and. to the surprise Of the large con-
gregatOn, were not eXtlnguished by
the rain.
To the right of the altar was the
temporary choir loft. where mixed
choir Of $50 voices. under the direction
Of Arthur S. Somcrs. gave the musical
programme. In the loft also was the
Marine Band. Back Of the choir loft
was the guests box, i'm which sat Acting
Mayor McAncny. Corporation Counsel
Polk, Police Commissioner Woods and
Dock Commissioner Smith.
Grouped about the altar were United
States sailors and marines, details OF
the seth and 47th regiments. y. g..
y. Y, and delegations from the irish
Volunteers, United States Volunteer
Lifesavcrs, United States Customs
Benevolent Association. United Spanish
War Veterans. LIST Regiment; Knights
Of Columbus. Police Department. Fire
Department. United States Letter Car
ricrs. Uniformed street Cleaning De-
partment, Uniformed Corps Catholic
Benevolent Legion. Ancient Order Of
II bernians, Holy Name Society, He
brew Veterans, Civil War; Confederate
Veterans, Gloucester Camp. Veterans
Picking Relief Expedition, Veterans
Russian japan War, Warren Camp
Sons of Veterans, Auxiliary; Libby
Camp, Catholic Boys Naval Brigade,
Loughlin Battalion. Royal Arcanum,
Leo Battalion and Companions Of the
Forest.
Promptly at II o'clock the Police De-
partment Band began to play a selection
as a squad Of the 69th, under Captain
Robert McMackin. the grand marshal.
escorted the Rev. William Henry Iron
side Reany. naval chaplain and cci-
ebrant OF the mass, to the altar
Father Reany was accompanied by
the Rev. John p. Chadwick, chaplain on
the Maine when il was blown up at
Havana, the deacon at the mass; the
Rev. Francis J. Sullivan, the Police
Department chaplain. who was sub
deacon; the Rev. John J. Durick, mas
ter of ceremonies, and the Rev. Will
lam J. b. DAILY, of Poughkeepsie, who
preached.
The priests. oil but Father Daily
were dressed in gold-trimmed white
vcstments. and Father Reany had not
progressed far when he was compelled
TO stop TO brush the rain water from
his eyes. Father Days cassock and
baretta were very wet as he mounted
the altar to preach.
Father Daily spoke Of the service
given by the men who have died TO
maintain the dignity of the United
States. He touched on President Will
sons declaration that this country was
made up of peace loving people, and he
said that history would show that all
of the wars Of the United States have
been conflicts for the IKE Of humanity,
for the downtroddcn and the perse-
cutcd
The weather caused a last minute
change IN the plans. and instead OF
singing a solemn high mass low mass
was celebrated. An Impressive feature
occurred at the elevation OF the Host.
As Father Reany raised the challce and
the alteration bell was rung bugler Of
the Marine Band sounded d call. The
ceremony ended with the congregation
joining the choir in singing America"