The Mena weekly star., 1916-06-22
N[NA ELKS GIVE 4 FLAG DAY PROGRAM
Feature Was a Patriotic Address by inc Hon. H. H. Thomas on Why Is America?"-Songs Stirred
 inc Hearts of Hearers.

The Flag Day exercises held last
 Wednesday night of last week at the
 Flks' Home under the auspices of
 inc officers and members of the
 Nena lodge of Elks, certainly full
 filled the purpose of those who or
 iejnated the idea of observing June
 il annually as Flag Day.
 The reception rooms and the audi
 torium of the Home were artistically
 decorated with flags and bunting,
 and as the guests arrived the jolly
 bunch of Elks in the receiving line
 presented each with dainty flag
 badge. Thus, the entire setting of
 the meeting place was such as to
 make every one realize what presi-
 dent Wilson meant when in his Flag
 Day proclamation he said that
 means should be taken to give sig
 nificant expression to our thought
 ful love of America, our comprehen-
 sion of the great mission of liberty
 and justice to which We have deVot-
 ed ourselves as a people, our pride
 in the history and our enthusiasm
 for the political program of the na-
 ton, our determination to make 1t
 greater and purer with each gener-
 ation. and our resolution to demon
 strate to all the world its vital union
 in sentiment and purpose, accepting
 only those as true compatriots who
 feel as we do the compulsion of this
 supreme allegiance"
 mi continent ana cpipif nor vaded the entire program, being
 brought out particularly strong
 in the splendidly patriotic address
 delivered ny the Hon. Il. H. Thomas,
 who used as his subject Why Is America?n In recounting briefly
 the rise and fall of the governments
 of the Far East. and pointing out the causes which led to the downfall and
 destruction, the speaker reached the
 logical conclusion that as a part of the Divine plan it came to be that Columbus discovered America and
 that the Pilgrim fathers should come to these shores to found a new government. A government, Aone and inseparahle,' where each would be guaranteed the right of life, lib- erty and the pursuit of happiness. A government that. by avoiding the
 errors that wrecked the govern ments of the East, was destined to become the great world power for civil and civic righteousness, indus trial development, and worldwide humanitarianism.
 This was Mir. Thomas first ap- pearance before Mena audience, but with the favorable impression he made. it is safe to say that he will be a speaker in demand at future public functions.
 Not only did the speaker reflect ! forcibIy the spirit and purpose of 1 Flag Day, but this was also true in the presentation of the ritualistic | part of the program by Exalted Rul- CT H. c. Rushing and the corps of l officers, with Louie Robert present. 1 ing the history of the flag and Da- | vid Furry giving the "Elks' Tribute l to the Flag"
 The hit of the evening was made | by Louie Robert in his vocal solos, | which were strictly in harmony with | the spirit of the occasion and fitting | for the times that now are. His | first number was Don't Bite the | Hand That's Feeding You the sec ond, America. l Love You" Other | patriotic musical numbers were | The Star Spangled Banner sung | by Miss Ethel Depew Henderson, | Columbia, Gem of the Ocean, and f America" sung by the audience, | and Flag of Flags" and "rhe Flag Without a Stain" sung by quartet | composed of Mesdames Legate and i MacLafferty and Messrs. Furry and | Smith Thus, from the earnest and devout { invocation pronounced by Dr. L. w. z B Long of the First Nj E. church i 4 to the singing of America which | Il came as a song of reconsecration, the i q program was a demonstration of # loyalty and patriotism.