Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-06-07
THE BURLINGTON TIMES THURSDAY. 1917
STATES GIFT IS DEDICATED
Vermont Soldier Boys Get a Y.
M. c. A. Building.
Distinguished visitors Have Parts in
Program Of Scripture Reading,
Addresses and Music at state
Camp Ground.

Camp Ground.
The Army Young Mems Christian as
building at the state reservation
near Fort Ethan Allen. where the First
Vermont Infantry is encamped. the gift
of the State to her soldier boys, was
dedicated to their service Sunday after
noon with impressive services. There are
but a scant two or three hundred men of
the regiment now at the reservation, but
they were all seated in the Y. M. c. A.
building when the services commenced at
two o'clock This was trihe early in the
afternoon for the huge crowds who 80 to
the State camp and to Fort Ethan Allen
every Sunday afternoon. but there were
enough civilian visitors to occupy every
inch Of the building. which Is not small
one. by any means.
Governor Graham and Colonel Ira L.
Reeves, president Of Norwich University,
who were to have spoken at the dedicatory
exercises. were absent. but. there was
galaxy Of distinguished visitors. never
theless. Colonel w. c. Rivers Of the 18th
United States cavalry. Colonel Fred b.
Thomas commander Of the First Vermont
Infantry. Adjutant- General Lee s. Tillot-
son. Chaplain Paul D. Moody Of the First
Vermont and Chaplain David l.. Fleming
of the Second cavalry were the military
guests of honor. DR.. Guy Potter Benton,
president Of the University of Vermont,
w. ]. Van Patten, chairman Of the State
committee of the Y. NJ c. A.. Floyd l..
North, treasurer of the State committee,
and l.. A. Morhous, the secretary who is
to have charge Of the building, were the
civilian guests. State Secretary Byron N.
Clark Of the Y. M. c. A. had charge Of the
exercises and introduced the speakers.
The First Vermont Infantry band. under
the leadership Of Band Leader F. c. Dun
ham. played exceedingly well and were
generous in the number Of their selec-
tons. A brief concert by the band opened
the service. and following the invocation
by Chaplain Paul D. Moody. all present
Joined in the responsive reading from the
13Sth Psalm. A hymn. THE Son Of God
Goes Forth to War" was then sung, after
which Secretary Morhous read the scrip
ture lesson from the second chapter Of
Timothy. The headquarters company
quartet. composed Of Sergeant-Major H.
d. Rolfe, Band Leader F. C.. Durham.
Lieutenant H. p. Shaw and First Sergeant
G. A. Nelson, then sang a pleasing selec-
ton.
THE ADDRESSES.
Colonel Fred b. Thomas commandinS
officer of the First Vermont Infantry.
made the first speech. He told how the
Y. M. c. A. always followed the flag and
had done SO for SO long that it was now
regarded as an integral part of the army.
hoA oh, NJ Io
soldiers life that sometimes it's benefits
were not fully realized. Colonel Thomas
told of Y. M. c. AS benefits to the lone
some soldier. and how it provided him
with rest and the right sort Of recreation.
In closing. he thanked the State commit
tee and all who had aided the Y. NJ. c.
A. work and expressed the appreciation
Of the regiment for the gift Of the build
ing.
Sergeant-Major H. P. Shaw. who last
night received word of his promotion tc
the lieutenancy Of c company. expressed
the appreciation Of men of the First
Vermont at receiving the building. He
told of the moral peril which the soldier
away from home faced. and how the Y
| NJ. c. A. acted as a submarine destroyer
for U-boat perils on the sea of life
he said. the First Vermont would prove
worthy Of the traditions of tho Greer
Mountain State.
| W. j. Van Patten Of Burlington. chair
man Of the State Y. NJ. c. A. committee
expressed the committees satisfaction al
turning the building over to the boys o.
| the First Vermont 1t was the gift of tho
State to her soldier boys. he said. ant
|
of Governor Graham and General Tillot
son. He wished the regiment success il
war and a speedy return to peace. whei
they would find the Y. NJ. C. A. as read,
to serve physical. mental and spiritua
needs as in turbulent times.
Secretary Clark then gave the regimen
Colonel Reeves message of greeting ant
best wishes and his regrets that order
calling him to Washington prevented hi
attendance at the exercises.
Colonel w. c. Rivers of the 18th cavalr!
told of what he had seen accomplished b!
the Y. NJ. C. A. since he entered tn
United States Military Academy - year
ago. He also referred to the army build
ing which the war work council is erect
ing on the Fort Ethan Allen reservation
The Y. NJ. C. A. had done especially goo
work In the Philippines and in Cuba. sal
Colonel Rivers.
The First Vermont Infantry woul
probably be the only fighting organiza
ton to carry the Vermont standard upo
the battlehelds Of France and Belgium
said Adjutant-General Lee S. Tillotsol
who. besides appearing in his own officis
capacity. represented the Governor. Thi
would be because the national governmer
would probably not increase the Nation,
Guard units. Governor Graham. said Ger
eral Tillotson. had not forgotten I'll
regiment. In fact no was the best civilia
friend they had. In expressing his al
probation to the State Y. NJ. c. A. con
mittee for the gift of the building, Geners
Tillotson modestly giving them all II
credit. the speaker said that the Fir
, Vermont could depend upon the peop
, and the people upon the First Vermont
. Chaplain Moody then gave the dedic;
ton prayer. after which all, standin
sang America" and Chaplain Flemr
. pronounced the benediction.
The Y. NJ. c. A. building. in additit
: to providing the men with place
4 write and all writing materials. has
library, and also receives many periodical
and newspapers. A piano is in the bull
ing. and victrola will soon beinstalled. NJ
ton picture shows and athletic contest
lectures. etc.. will be part of the recreati,
program.
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