The Republican journal., 1915-11-11
Veterans Meeting In Swanville.

| oAAo A1SStIllS Ill 1VNvAA$'
The Waldo County Veteran Association held
Its November meeting with Comet Grange,
Swanvllle, Thursday, Nov. 4th. 1t was an un-
usually mild. pleasant day. and good travelling.
and there were present at least 150 veterans,
their families and friends. The morning meet
ing was called to order by President Trask,
who made brief opening speech. Secretary
Stinson was unavoidably absent and the Presi-
dent appointed Oracle Bowen secretary pro
TEN. Comrades Bussey, Dickey and Clark
were appointed committee on the time and
place of the next meeting. The records of
last meeting were read and adopted. Chaplain
Merrill was called upon and made some excel.
lent remarks. He said the veterans were
gray-headed, but they still feel the influence
of their parents. The influence of the G. A.
R. is always for good. He spoke in very
feeling manner of the recent death of Com
rade Nickerson. AS this meeting was held in
his home town. all hearts were saddened. All
missed his genial presence. and nearly every
one who spoke during the days meeting paid
tribute of love to his memory.
Dinner was announced and the large COM
pany we're most happily cared for in the din
ing room by the ladies' of Swanvile, and din
ner was followed by the usual smoke talk.
The afternoon meeting was opened by sing
ing America, followed by prayer by Chaplain
Merrill. On suggestion of Past President
Crockett the assembly gave the salute" to
the Flag. The address of welcome was then
given by Mrs. A. 7. Nckerson, as follows:
| Mr. President, Veterans and Friends: feel
that voice the sentiments of Comet Grange,
and of the citizens of Swanville, when l ex
tend to you a cordial welcome. Yes. We are
proud to welcome you to the birthplace of this
association, for on the shores of Swan Lake
more than twenty years ago this association
was organized with your beloved comrade and
| our honored and respected citizen, who has so
recently passed to the Great Beyond. as its
| first president. Our pleasure is fraught with
sorrow today because of the loss of our
brother and friend That he loved the Waldo
County Veteran association is known by us all.
Words fail me to pay him proper tribute. May
it be said of him: "Well done good and faith
full servant. enter into your reward" May it
be said of US that our lives have been the bet
| ter because he lived
| In meeting of this order ones thoughts turn
backward, and l trust you will please pardon
me for being personal. 1t was my great priv
| ilege to be in Boston at the time of the Ma
tional Encampment of the Grand Army of the
Republic in that city. On the day of the
grand parade witnessed the greatest sight
ever saw in my life. The great number of
soldiers marching shoulder to shoulder, the
wonderful music, the crowds and crowds of
people cheering as the soldiers m arched alng
thrilled you through and through. And to me
it was wonderful experience we walked
across Bosto Common and the Public Gardens,
I n so1 in thoirh hos r. o,I fbair
friends from nearly every State in the Union,
for every visitor wore badge bearing the
name of his State. 1t was a glorious expert
ence being an onlooker at the Encampment of
the Grand Army of the Republic. l remember
memorial Sunday service with the e. A. R.
men present. The soloist of the church sang
the Star Spangled Banner, the boys in blue
helping with the chorus and their singing
ried you to the very gates of heaven. Surely
/ they did not fail to join swelling the chorus of
some old Grand Army song.
But these men are fast passing away and
| we wonder who will tell the world the story
when the Boys in Blue are gone?
Who will tell of Grant and Sherman,
| And that patriotic throng,
| Who will tell the world the story,
When the "Boys in Blue are gone.
| Will our chldren's children tell il,
| Will they tell about the foe
! That their grandsires met in battle,
Fought SO many years ago.
Will they cherish dear "Od Glory.
! Will they learn to love it long,
/ Who will tell the world the story
! When the "Boys in Blue" are gone.
We must tell the story, sisters,
! Just as long as life is spared,
We must never be unminGful
| What the soldiers did and dared,
We must hold aloft that banner
| For it's splendid laurels won
! We must tell the story, sisters,
/ When the "Boys in Blue" gone.
Sons and daughters of this nation,
You must tell of triumphs won
When on earth our work is ended
/ And the veteran claims mis- own.
You must cherish dear "Old Glory
And its teachings pass along,
| You must tell the world the story
When The "Boys in Blue" are gone,
By that flag, "Our Country's Emblem"
You must pledge allegiance new
To its glorious, splendid mission,
May your hearts beat ever true,
That the naIionl be protected
'Gainst injustice and all wrong,
You must tell the world the story
When the "Boys in Blue" are gone.
You must keep each star unblemished
And its stripes without stain,
You must take the veterans places,
And repeat their Roll of Fame,
You must keep our countrys honor,
And the flag above the wrong,
We will trust you with the story
When the "Boys in Blue" are gone.
To you, Comrades, you deserve all the glory
that can be bestowed by a grateful people
For by your service every star on our banne
remains intact, not having been erased
from chat br rlliant galaxy. When your worl
here is finished and you have crossed thu
Great Divide your sacrifice of more than fift,
years ago will remain monument to you
memory.
And now Comrades and friends, in behalf o
Comet Grange and the citizens of Swanville,
extend to you a hearty, cordial welcome.
Comrade Gro ckett gave very spirited pat
riotic response. He said Maine brought bach
all of her flags. One flag was in thirty pieces