Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-31

prayer by kew. rank l.. HdieIi, oo-
dress Of welcome by Mayor Q. A.
Meadcr, response by Commander Fred
D. Lunt of w. S. Heath Post, reading
Of General Orders by Adjt \. S. En-
cry, singing OF the school children I'M
der the rection of NJ IS Mildred Stock
bridge, reading Of the first proclama-
ton issued by Gen. John A. Logan by
Gilman Williams. singing by the school
children, reading of Lincoln's address
by Clarence A Proctor. patriotic in
structor of the Sons of Veterans, ora
ton BY Rev z. NJ. Holman of Fair
field.
Rev. Mr.. Holnan's Address
Mr. Holman spoke in part as follows:
CONNIE nder. Veterans of the Grand
Army, and fellow citizens of Water
Vile: l am standing before you to-
day in the darkest hour of the worlds
history. Our nation is now engaged
in the most terrible of all wars. This
hour calls for sacrifice of such a char
acter and vast significance as to chal-
lenge all the powers of American man
hood and womanhood.
Our national flag as it unfurls to the
gentle breeZes OF Heaven speaks in
eloquent words of a finer type of patri-
otism than ever before. My fel-
low countrymen, we will defend that
flag if it takes the last penny and the
last drop of blood in the republic.
Veterans. it is with deep sense of
gratitude that we look into your faces
on this occasion. We are not unmind-
full of your deeds of heroism ard the
splendid sacrifices that you made for
us and the nation. We shall ever cher
ish fragrant in our memories the great
service you have rendered. Time is,
however. making great changes, and
your lines are growing thinner with
the years. Very soon the duties and
responsibilities that you are assuming
today must be assumed by a younger
generation. May we take up this new
task cheerfully and reverently with the
one great thought of doing honor to
you and service to our country. :"
The great Europe an war now inTolv-
ing all the principal nations of the
world, has been raging for nearly
three wears, and now we find ourselves
engaged in this awful conflict, fighting
with the Allies for the triumph of De-
mocracy over Autocracy. No one can
possibly predict when or what the end
will be. Already we are beginning to
feel the stress and anxiety of this gil
gantic struggle. We shall need money
and men but above all we shall need
, most THE True American Patriot"
the man who is willing to work, will
ing to fight, and willing to die for his
native land. The American patriot
will work through the day and through
the night. and will never cease, from
WEAKNESS or any other cause, until this
stupendous task is finished. o"
Following an appeal for the greatest
possible production and conservation
true patriot will fight for his native
land. The American soldier should be
serious. He should be brave; he should
I be trained to the greatest efficiency;
he should he model of strength that
will not faint at any test For three
long weeks the little Belgium army
,, held back that fierce military machine
! in its mad rush of destruction. Shall
we not say with Caesar Of old. The
| bravest Of these were the Belgians?"
France certainly would have been
overthrow had it not been for their
brave SCdnO. we owe France
great debt we can never pay. When
we were weak and helpless she aided
! lis ard furnished soldiers to fight our
battles. Shall we ever forget the great
name Of Lafayette? How encoura ged
she must have been when ENGLAND de-
cided to help and put her men into the
fight. Do you think she will be less en-
couraged when our soldiers take their
stand in the battle line? France has
done and is doing her best and by the
grace Of God we will not desert her
In this hour Of her dire need. The
true American patriot will die for his
native land; we can give strength,
money ard talents, but when we give
the precious drops Of our life's blood,
that is the hest any one Of us can do
for a great cause That is the supreme
I sacrifice. Are we brave enough to make
this sacrifice of life? I believe we are"
The services closed with the bene-
diction by Mr.. Phalen and a selection
by the band.