Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-05-25
CEREMONIES AT
THE MONUMENT I ! |
Old and New Blood Repre-
sented at Gathering
Yesterday
FLAG PRESENTATION.
Stirring Address of Samuel G Brent
On Yalor of Southern Soldiers and
Their Principles
FLAG PRESENTATION.
Stirring Address Of Samuel G Brent


Youth and old age-the time worr
gray of the veterans and the freshly
pressed gray of the cadet under
meath both beating hearts full OF
love and memory for the past and
5 loyal to the present -bright-eyed
young girls in newly starched pima
fores and wearing across their
breast the scarlet symbol of pat
riotism and tottering women, their
lean forms draped in black and their
eyes dimmed with thousand sor-
rows since the days of '61-!he soul
string strains of "Dixie" and the
appealing tones of 'tMy County 'Tis
of Thee'Nthe stars and bars OF
the Confederacy and the stars and
stripes of q United Country-these
and hundred other contrasts ap-
pleaded to the imagination, filed
the heart with enthusiasm and love
of country and brought tears to
the eyes of the great concouTse of
people who gathered at the corner
of Washington and Prince streets
yesterday afternoon.
1t was the occasion Of the annual
celebration of the departure of the
Alexandria companies to the front
in the War Between the Statcs--a
day sacred forever in the annals of
this community to the bravery and
devotion OF. its soldier lads who went
forth to fight in defense of their ma
tive state-a day now dedicated to
their memory when flowers are
strewn on the mounds which cover
their last resting place and their val
or is told in burning words of ora
tory.
And yesterday was no exception.
Tt was the fifth-fifth anniversary of
their departure and as the score or
more survivors, with 5haltehing steps
bearing aloft the battle stained flag,
marched through the crowded streets
from their hall to the monument,
they were given hearty applause.
Previous to the arrival of tho vet
Grams on the scene there were sew
eral interesting events. At half past
five the two companies of cadets Of
the Alexandria High School, headed
by the gorgeously costumed band
of the American Indian Guards,
marched from the high school lot
to Washington street. They were
drawn up facing the Young Peoples
Building where the presentation of
handsome silk American flag took
place. The flag, a gift from the Of
ficers of the Masonic bodies of Al
exandria, was presented by H. Noel
Garner, commander of the Sons Of
the Veterans. In we'll chosen words
he referred to the history of Alex
andria during the past 300 years
especially the part taken by it's peo-
pie in the wars that have occurred
and said that he hoped we woule
continue at peace during these per
ilous times. He said that he wish
ed the cadet corps would take as
it's motto s'In God we trust" anc
that the flag would ever wave ovel
the land of the brave.
Staff Captain Conrad Johnson,
principal of the high school, respon
ded. in appropriate terms, the color
guard was brought up and took pos
session of the starry banner, the
cadets presented arms and F. L.
Pitt, played "The Star Spanglet
Banner" as cornet solo.
The cadets marched away ant
their place in front of the church
was taken a few minutes later by
company of kaiki-clad boy scouts
who acted as the escort of the Con
federate choir, composed of fifty 0
more girls dressed in white and ha,
ing across their breasts a red sasl
Heading this detachment was Mis-
Blanche Rotchford, the directress an
Miss Dora Varney, the cornetis
The children marched to the portic
of the colonial residence of pr
Hugh. Mcclure, where they made
pretty picture as they sang the pa