Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-31
AMERICAN FLAGS WILL
WAVE C|TY'S WELCOME
Feature of Homecoming
OF Troops.
TENTATIVE PLANS CHANGED
Fund OF $500 Already Subscribed.
Committee Seeks $1,000 With
Which to Welcome Each Detach-
ment as They Return Home.

Patriotic decorations and music and
men. women and children of the city
viii constitute the welcome to Rich
mond which awaits the First Regi
Virginia National Guard. when the SOL
dicr boys return to their homes within
the next few days from their pos, along
the Mexican border.
Abandoning to great degree the
idea Of banquet and a big dance,
which had been tentatively agreed
upon the way Richmond should
honor the homecoming soldiers. the
committee which is planning the recep-
tion yesterday decided upon the less
expensive and. at the same time the
more impressive way OF showing the
city's appreciation OF the services rem
dered by Nireinia's soldiery.
The consensus Of opinion. voiced by
Adjutant-Gcneral Sale. william r.
pabney. Colonel 10 Lane Stern. Major
Alien Potts and others. was that the
men would appreciate very much more
general ovation. with music. the wav-
ing OF tiags, and the greatest possible
outpourinE Of citizens. than anything
in the way of entertainment
WANTS GENUINE: oUTBURsT
OF ENTHUSIASM IN CITY
What these boys ..ant." snid Mr..
Dabney, is a genuine outburst of en-
thuSiasm on the part Of the people OF
Richmond. They want You 10 show
them that You appreciate what they
have done, the sacrifices they have
made. and tina, YOU are really glad
TO see them back home once more. Let
every man. woman and child in Rich
mond. who can, be out to receive them.
Let there be plenty of music. plenty
Of hurrahing. and the greatest possible
number OF American flags"
Though there VIII not be quite SO
much OF a feast n was first planned.
tn. idea OF refreshments and dance
has not been wholly abandoned. The
committee will in all probability have
prepared some kind OF refreshment.
suitable TO the time OF day the men
viii arrive. and viii lay plans for
small dance 10 be participated in only
by the soldiers and their invited guests
The place and time will ne decided upon
by the committee on entertainment.
several bands will be on hand 10
greet the men and to furnish music on
the march 10 the armory. Al the sug-
Gestion OF Colonel Stern. Colonel w. T.
b
menr. will be telegraphed Immediately
- send the regimental band on with
the first section. instead OF with the
movement Of troops The band then
viii be able 10 meet each incoming
section
WILL ASK FOR USE:
OF FORT MONROE BAND
Besides this, Senator Martin will be
asked to secure the services of the
band from Fortress Monroe. This band
viii! be comparatively Inexpensive.
since the cost Of maintenance while
in the city will he the only expense
incurred. 1t is thought that there will
be little trouble in securing II. To this
will he added the ife and drum corps
of the Boy Scouts. and possibly Two
or three other Richmond bands.
The plan OF march from the station
to the armory has no; been decided
upon. but il is practically certain that
a more or less circuitous route will be
chosen. in order TO give the crowds
some opportunity OF seeing a much OF
the men ms possible. The Richmond
Boy Scouts will form n Gordon on Sew
cnth Street. through which the resi-
ment will march. Small American flags
will be placed in as many hands az
possible, and the streets will be deco
rated in patriotic colors.
TO make the home coming OF the
regiment big gala occasion in Rich
mond. with as much as possible of
the spirit of patriotism about It, the
committee requests that not only resi-
dents and office tenants along the line
OF march decorate their places. but that
there he decorations generally through
out tho city. The American flag or
colors should be used wherever pos.
sible.
The committee wishes TO make it
plain. too. that the campaign for funds
at this time has as it's object the enter
tainment, not only of the First Regi-
ment, but also the other Virginia
troops which are now on the border.
and which Will within the course OF
time he sent back to their home sta
tions II is estimated that at least
$4,000 will be needed to give a proper
welcome 10 Virginia's quota OF SOL
diers. Contributors to that cause Al
this time will not he asked to make
contributions at another time when
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