Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-15
AUGUSTA LODGE OF
ELkS OBSERVES FLAG
DAY ON WEDNESDAY
With Special Exercises in the
Evening-The Ritualistic
Work Very Impressive-Ad-
dress by F. H. Bate-B. F.
Maher Pronounces Tribute to
Flag

Augusta Lodge No. 964 b. p. o. E., OBJ
served Flag day Wednesday evening at
the new Elks home on Winthrop street
with very impressive exercises beglnnln:
at o'clock. This service was the nrst
special service held in the new home and
was attended by about 100 members of
the order. The lodge room was very tasti-
ly decorated for the occasion with large
American flags, while suspended from the
center of the room was cluster of small
flags.
The order of exercises was ritualistic
and was carried out in the same manner
as by Elks all over the country in OBJ
servance of the day. Past Exalted Ruler
George Fl. Bangs gave the history of our
country's flag. Benedict F. Maher gave
the Elks' Tribute to the Flag, and Fran
/ els H. Bate Of Bowdoin college gave a
short address IN keeping with tho subject.
Selections were rendered by a quartet
composed of Willis r. Partridge J.
Frank Dyer, Francis +. Purinton ard
Harry r. Lowell.
! A very pretty feature Of the program
was the formation of floral bell repre-
senting the Liberty bell. which was put
together in three sections by officers OF
the lodge. The sections were of red
white and blue, while the bar over the
bell carried the stars of the flag
The officers who took part in the exer-
cises were: Exalted Ruler Walter G
Thomas, Esteemed Leading knight Harry
S. Dean, Esteemed Loyal knight Man
ming S. Campbell. Esteemed Lecturing
knight John E. Hanson, Chaplain All n,
M. Drummond. Secretary Charles w
Poor and Esquire Elmer E Bradbury.
BY Francis H. Bate
Francis H. Bate said in part:
The significance of the flag as an
/ American people. 1t is the symbol of in.
dependence and union of government fol-
the people and by the people. 1t takes
the place of royal family and survives
the numerous changes of administratio
in our republican form of government
1t should not be used for commercial
purposes, though it is often seen in sa-
loon windows and from the tops of hotels
and boarding houses for that purpose We
should bear in mind always that this flag
that our forefathers fought and died TO,
symbolizes the supreme right to be free
4 al iiiiiio anu IollSCieICe, ana lndt liberty
| and freedom are greater than all else
Wherever it streams, men see the dawn
ing Of these two great principles bursting
on the world"
"EIk's Tribute"
The 'Elks' Tribute to the Flag" must
stir the patriotism of any true Amerl-
can. AS interpreted by Benedict F.. Ma
her 1t proved the most impressive feat
ure of the evening. The closing words
are as follows:
Hail to the flag. Hail to this flag of
nags: sometimes it is called the stars
and Stripes sometimes Red, White and
Blue;' sometimes it is called the Star
Spangled Banner sometimes, and mos.
anecuonately, old Glory Honoring its
every name, rejoicing in its record. be-
llevlng in its mission, we do we'll to OBJ
serve this natal anniversary; we do well
10 cherish and venerate this regal banner.
to keep alive its vestal fires, and to per
petuate its power and glory; we do well
to yield unto it the tribute of flowers and
song and story. Flags and music and
mowers are the federated anthem of the
American people. Plant roses, and tn.
red OF the flag will quicken into life with
the breath and blush of returning June
Plant lilies, and the white of the flag
Will reappear. with the constancy of the
sunshine and the dew Plant violets.
and the blue of the flag will come again
with vows of supernal remembrance.
Hail. all hail to this flag of liberty. The
flag Of the brave fathers and loving moth
ers of the republic! AS it was their flag,
so it is your flag. and mine 1t is the flag
OF every American rooftree. the flag OF
every American state. May it ever be the
| flag of that immortal Union Of States and
| Territories. Our Country"