The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1917-04-26
OLD GLORY Is =:
RAISED WITH
CEREMONIES
people of Third Commissioners
District Show Fine Spirit
of Patriotism
PARADE Is A Big FEATURE
r. E. Pratt Becomes Poetical in Pre-
senting Flag-Stirring Talks
by TOntz and M0ulton


Old Glory now officially waves over
the third commissioner district of Ben
ton county. The colors were raised to
the top of the new 93-foot flag pole at
Second and Tacoma streets last Sum
day afternoon with ceremonies as full
of patriotic color as the most ardent
enthusiast could wish. Everything
seemed to fit perfectly into the days
program and the flag-raising was one
of the community's most successful
undertakings. .......s. .-... Ill.,.
A crowd Of about 800 people filled
the square around the pole and with
their voices and waving flags convert
ed the afternoons exercises into a pa
triotic demonstration that will be long
remembered in Kennewick. A martial
air was given the occasion by the
presence of platoon Of the Idaho
National Guard, who are stationed
in Pasco for bridge patrol duty.
The ceremonies started at three
o'clock with a parade formed on the
vacant square west of Hotel Kenne-
wick. The few remaining members Of
S. G. Cosgrove Post G. A. R., bearing
their handsome silk flag, headed the
parade. They were followed by the
Kennewick Military band which had
come into existence during the week
under the leadership of Frank L.
Young. Behind the band marched the
Idaho Guardsmen and then came the
Home Guards in front of whom march
er H. ]. Claussen with the company's
colors. So.
The company commanded by F. r.
Jeffrey made an excellent showing in
spite Of the fact that many of the
boys had never had any drill in COM
pany formation, regular practice hav-
ing been confined to squad movements.
The home guards acted as escort to
Mayor Geo. w. Sherk and members
Of the city council and Commissioners
F. L. Bash and R. E. Pratt. Rev. C. E.
Miller and his Boy Scouts made fine
showing in their section of the parade.
The Knights Of Pythias marching be-
hind their flag and the children of the
different Sunday schools completed the
parade.
The ceremonies at the flag pole were
presided over by Mayor Sherk, who
called upon Rev. C. E. Miller to deliver
the invocation. In brief introduce
tory speech Mayor Sherk said the
people of the community had come
together with mingled feelings Of sad
ness and pride, sadness because the
country had been forced into war and
pride in that country's splendid re-
cord. ny
The flag was officially presented to
the community by Commissioner r.
=. Pratt, who concluded rousing pa
triotic speech with the following or
iginal poem:
Lift up the Royal Banner now 81.
And let it wave on high
The emblem of our country's hope,
Push upward toward the sky.
Above all else around it
Well fling it to the breeze, -
And let the winds caress it 81 .s@~ IL
= Like music in the trees.
And as it floats above US,
Swept by each passing gale, &ss.
1t stands for love and honor
=, And faith that cannot fail. .%E:
1t stands for love of country .
For courage tried and true
Who flinches when the test comes on
Will it be me or you? g.:
1t means that we are loyal
TO our nation and it's cause,
AS she battles for her freedom
And for it's humane laws.
1t means that we're enlisting
10 fight the common foe;
10 right the wrongs existing
TO strike the deadly blow.
IL means that each must do his share
And help to win the fight; -.
our cause is just; and win we must
We're battling for the right.
Inc Stars and Stripes! God help US
now -