Connecticut western news., 1915-06-03
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVED
Children of Schoos Take Prominent
 Part in Ceremonies. 4

Memorial Day observance in Canaan was in accordance with the program previously announced i'll The News, and the arrangements were carried out without a hitch. The weather was perfect, and fifteen veterans particiated, with the citizens and school children, ill the exercises at the various ceme- terles-a good showing, considering the fact that only eighteen members of David $. Cowles Post survive.
 The start for the various cemeteries was made from Parsons block at s o'clock, the veterans, few of whom were accompanied by wives or daugh- ters, ana two sons of veterans, embark ing in automobiles donated for the oc- casion by various citizens.
 The run to Ashley Falls was quickly made, where at the cemetery, the vet erans were joined by the children ot the Ashley Falls school, with their teachers, Miss Florence Fitzgerald and Miss Carey, and pretty program of songs, declamations and dialogues was given after the graves had been dec orated.
 At Clayton a similar program was given, by the schools of Clayton and s;odom, the former under Miss Emma Rood and the latter under Miss Carrie Conklin, whose Italian pupils distin. guished themselves, one Italian boy re. citing patriotic poem in manner that bespoke the coming orator. and elicited spontaneous applause. At Canaan Val ley, the school, directed by Miss Louise Deloy, gave all interesting program, and from there the automobiles pro ceeded to East Canaan, stopping enroute at H. c. Stevens farm, where, accord ing to his usual custom, MT. Stevens served sandwiches and hot coffee to the soldiers and their guests, and was given three cheers by the appreciative crowd.
 At Hillside cemetery, East Canaan, the children of the schools decorated the graves, marching around with the veterans, headed by John Condon, $. of ", who beat the drum. The exer cises there, after the ceremony of de- coration were of unusual interest, Miss Catherine Finnegans pupils showing exceptional training, and the schools of Miss Marion Woodward and Miss Lucy Hall acquitting themselves with great edit. MT. Hayward, of New Haven, guest at M. Keane's, made an inter- esting short talk, which was warmly applauded.
 At the Lower Cemetery in this viii lage, the Boy Scouts. under Scontmaster Leroy Laffargue were assembled when the veterans arrived, and deposited the flowers on the soldiers graves.
 Following the decoration ceremonies, the veterans and guests gathered at the school house on Granite avenue at pre- cisely l2 o'clock, when in accordance with General Orders, the flag on the school house was lowered and the vet erans stood with barred and bowed heads for the space of five minutes, in silent tribute to the soldier dead.
 The company then repaired to the Christ Church parish house, where a ladies' committee had prepared a bountiful dinner, which they served to about eighty hungry patriots and had enough provisions left to feed as many more.
 At o'clock the exercises in Town Hall began and were witnessed by a large audience of citizens and ladies' Prayer was offered by Rev. L. E. Travis. The pupils of Grade 3 and 4 marched upon the stage and sang pa triotic songs and were presented with flags, by Comrade E. $. Roberts, who made the presentation by request, and gave an interesting talk on the signifi- canoe of "the colors." Douglas Adan and Harold Scutt recited appropriate poems and flag drill and salute to the flag were given by the school. Miss DeHart and Miss Kegler presided at the piano for the musical features of the program.
 Following the children's part of the program Commander w. R. Weddle gave welcome on behalf of the Post, and directed his comrades in giving the ritualistie "salute to the dead.'
 A brief patriotic talk was given by Rev. MT. Travis, which was warmly applauded.
 The speaker of the day, Judge John H. Light, Late Attorney General of Connecticut, was then introduced and delivered what some of the veterans declared was the best Memorial Day oration ever given in Canaan. He paid fitting tribute to the patriotism, the sacrifices and sufferings of the vet erans, spoke of the blessings of freedom and liberty which their sacrifices had insured to the nation, concluding with a beautiful peroration on the signif- canoe of the American flag. The speak CT was heartily applauded and congrat- ulated at the close of his oratiOn.