New Britain herald., 1915-06-15

NSW Brlta1n lodge, NO. 961, B. r. O. E., paid it's annual tribute to the
 Arnerican flag at exercises held in the
 lodge rooms last evening. The cer-
 emonies were of an ennobling nature,
 the fame of Old Cory being revived
 in song and story
 Nearly half a hundred members
 of Stanley post, G. A. R. were guests
 of the lodge and it could be easily
 sean that the grizzled "vets'' enjoyed
 every minute of the evening. While the Alpha quartet of New Haven
 sang .Tenting on the Old Camp Grounds the men in blue were youths again. With their chins cupped
 In their hands their memories flew
 back over the stretch of years tna,t
 has silvered their hair and dimmed
 their eye, back to the tented vilags
 with the Johnny Rebs'' only short distance away
 A touching scene was enacted while the assemblage was singing the Star
 Spangled Banner At the first strains, all rose to their feet in tribute to the song and what it means. Two of the veterans could not rise. The spirit was wiling but the flesh was weak. Tn vain they tried to stand un-s til several members of the lodge. sec ifis their predicament, went to their assisfance. With guiding hands toi heln them, the veterans stood as straight as the next man and re- mained standing until the last notes had died away
 On the whole the services were touching and impressive. There Is probably no organization in America that has more respect for the Red, y51ite and Blue than the B. F. Q. E. It Is first of all an American society and it's annual Flag Day exercises play prominent role in it's history from year to year.
 The tribute to the flag, offered by Past Exalted Ruler Alonzo J Hart. vas exceptionally well delivered. The singing of the Alpha quartet was ex- cellent and the work of the Elks' or chestra was worthy of praise. The record of the flag was read in an ln- teresting manner by Herbert Q. Rahm Exalted Ruler James F. Curtin was master Of ceremonies
 pr. Roger M Griswold of Kensing- ton, a lieutenant in the Putnam Phalanx and historian of that organ nation, was the orator of the eve- ning and his part in the exercises was. well taken care of. pr. Griswold spoke on Baron Steuben, a stranger in l a strange land, who did as much to l establish and perpetuate- the Ameri- can flag as any man.
 After the exercises lunch asi was served. the veterans being entertained in the rathskeller.
 Dr. Griswold's address in full fol- Joys ll
 sWhen the invitation came to me Ac deliver the oration before tnfs hodre of EIks, who on previous occa- |sions such as this, have been favored [pith eIouuence, wit, oratory and rathos, it found me so occupied that kmvx first impulse was to decline the Fn0aor.. but when your secretary lnt1- Inrated that the story of one who did (so much to make it possible for our lhsx to wave over one hundred mill Ilion free people, might be of interest Ito you I was glad to be able to com lply with his request. and so come |tc you with the story which told at 1 th9 celebration of the Three Wars at l |stubenville. Ohio, on the 23rd, 24th. land 18th of July, 1913, when were un- wtiled in that city memorials to Gen. krasf George Rogers Clark, the con Eueror of the Northwest, Judge James Wilson, grandfather of President Wilson, and one of the most illustrious kn1An Ohio ever produced, and General kBaron von Steuben, inspector general 'nf the Continental army, in whose