Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-05-31
MEMORIAL DAY
AT W|LLMAR
Parades, Stirring Music and
Speeches Arouse Patri-
otic Spirit.

The Memorial day celebration at Will
mar was decided success. OF that
there is no question. In the first place
the weather man chose to furnish
splendid spring day for the Festivities
and in the second place everyone joined
in with vim that was bound to spell
success for the venture. The unanimous
opinion is that it was the best celebra-
tion Of it's kind held here in years.
Starting with the parade Of the school
CHILDREN in the morning, right thru until
The close Of the program given under the
auspices of the Junior Commercial
League. everything moved in ship-shape
fashion. The school parade was a credit
to those who worked So hard for it's
success. Headed by the members of the
Grand Army of the Republic, and The
Willmar Citizens Sand, some eleven
hundred pupils and teachers, the former
carrying flags. made appearance
that was bound to leave an impression
on all who saw it. Short exercises were
held at the flag pole near the station,
after which the main exercises Of the
morning took place in the court house
square, where great throng had gath
cred.
Splendid talks on patriotism and
the memories of those who fought so
this country might live. were made by
Rev. j. y. Andersen and August O.
/. Forsberg. The Boys Glee Club Of the
high school rendered two selections, and
Lincolns Gettysburg address was given
hy Miss Geraldine Haley. Following 8
this program. the veterans and the chill
Gren chosen from each room to accom-
pany them made their trip to the ceme-
teries. decorating the graves Of their
departed comrades.
In the afternoon. the automobile par
ade by the Junior Commercial League,
for the purpose Of advertising the eve-
ninG's program, was held. and Judging
from the crowd at the auditorium, it
was effective The ball game came off
on scheduled time, and an account Of it
is given in another column.
A throng estimated at anywhere from
fifteen to seventeen hundred persons
was on hand at the auditorium to greet
those who took part in the program.
Every seat in the vast building was oc-
= cupied and people were standing on all
ssides Of the building.
4 The parade from the courthouse to
1.-THE auditorium, participated in by many
Vocal organizations presented a splendid
spectacle, the line Of march extending
three blocks. The organizations march
ed in the following order: Band G. A. r
Veterans. members Of the Junior Com
mercial League City officials. member:
of the Commercial Club, recruits Of th'
Independent Militia Company, who hat
signed the enlistment petition, Degree
boy Scouts.
The veterans, guests of honor, march
| ed upon the platform from each side o
| the stage, preceded by four little child
rem, Esther Marion Bakke, Anna Lucill
! Sanderson, George Henry Bitterness an
| James McNairy, who carried baskets o
| flowers, strewing the blossoms along tn
| path, while the entire assemblage arose
| to pay tribute.
| The band, under the leadership o
George Harstad, provided splendid mus
/ ical numbers before the beginning G
the program. AS for the program itsel
seldom has 1t been the pleasure of locs
people to listen to such an array Of ia
dnted performers. Every number give
4 was roundly applauded.
Those who took part in the choru
gotten up especially for the occasion
outdid themselves, and in fact ever
number was so good that there was Ii