Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-06-02
WILDWOOD

Mem )rial Day was a great event in
Wildwood; il always is, for here was
Instituted the commemoration of our
Naval heroes by launching from the
beach, through the surf in front of the
city of Wildwood, on to the broad bos-
ON of the ocean, a boat laden with
roses and with its sails studded with
odorous flowers, in red white and blue,
dedicated to the memory of the brave
and true men who gave up their lives
ia the naval service of country.
The weather was fine up to four In
the afternoon when it began to rain
just as the flower boat was about to be
launched, and as If In sympathy with
the solemn ceremony, which proceed
ed most i'm pressively.
The perfection of the arrangements
for the observance of the great Men,
orial is due to the intelligence, assiduity
and devotion of the ladies who gave
their time and energies to the detail Of
the units forming the procession, and
the performance on the %esplanade fac
ing the surf. Mrs. Mark b. Reeves
demonstrated what can be done when
one knows how, and is willing to give
the time and attention needed, and has
the taste to discriminate in colors and
their assignment In the clothing and
formation of the hundreds of children
who composed SO large and striking q
portion Of the beautiful array that
made up the vast procession. The
floats she designed and draped were
most telling aud appropriate, and the
one awakening the affectionate remem-
brance of the late Professor Levanus
Myers, was looked upon with gratitude
by thousands of his surviving friends.
The flower boat was a decorative dream,
done by MI. and Mrs. Reeves and Miss
Mayhem; and the May Pole dances,
trained by Mrs. Henry g. Chalmers,
illustrated in their graceful and perfect
movements the influence of tuition by
anaccomplishedanduntirin instructor.
The Folk dances, brought to supreme
efficiency by the genius and care of
Mrs. Roland Corson, and performed by
fourteen as beautiful young girls as can
be found In any city, gave a most ex-
quisite and graceful performance, to
the music of Cianfoni's splendid band.
The Vile wood Auxiliary Coast
Artillery to whom a rich, silken flag
was presented during the ceremonies,
by the local members of the Grand
Army OF the Republic and the Veterans
of the Spanish War, delighted the
tremendous audience by the strength
of their ranks aud the excellence of
their movements. The teachers of the
schools of the city all gave a lesson in
public spirit by devoting their leisure
hours to making the hundreds of cos
tunes worn by the children, which de-
lighted and elected compliments from
the spectators all along the line and on
the field.
The remnant Of the Grand Army
that preserved the Union, and whom
all men delight to honor, participated
III bhC PolduCs my JCdL6 thai
nave gone since they proved their pa
triotism and courage on bloody fields
have left so few Of them to receive the
plaudits of their admiring countrymen,
that it IL apparent that soon there Will
be none alive to receive the thanks of
all who love their country. They per-
formed a Memorial service in the pres
ence of the assembled thousands, and it
need not be said to be understood that
Its solemn dignity was magnified by
the fact hat only so few Of the brave
and true men who went through blood
and fire to preserve the Federal Union,
and to enlarge and perpetuate the free
dom of mankind remain among US.
General Bodine conducted the service
in a manner that will leave upon the
minds and hearts Of all who witnessed
1t an enduring appreciation Of its noble
dignity and patriotic worthiness. The
multitude of witnesses of that memoir
ial observance conducted themselves
in a ann that demonstrated their
ability to preserve order and good con-
duct in the greatest Of assemblies. 2
Memorial Day has come to be a most
notable of days in Wildwood. Here
the custom of honoring the American
Naval heroes was instituted when this
thriving city was a mere village by the
sea; and the observance of the day by
worthy ceremony has advanced at even
pace with the marvellous growth of
population on this island. We honor
ourselves by honoring the men who
faced death for us; and we realize that
Memorial Day has become An institu-
ton in Wildwood-by-the-Sea, for the
public annreciatinn of ita celebration