Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-04-19
REPUBLIC HELD
FLAG RAISING
Several Hundred Alma Peo-
pie Attended Exercises
at Plant Saturday.
REV. JACKSON GAVE ADDRESS
Republic Band and Boy Scouts
Aided in the Celebration
That Was Given.


TO be found anywhere, now floats with
the breeze. from seventy-tve foot
flag pole at plant one of the Republic
Motor Truck Company. Inc, of this
city. The flag was raised for the
first time last Saturday, with due
ceremony and in the presence of near
~ thousand people.
Saturday afternoon the Republic
band marched through the streets
and over to the plant, playing beauu-
ful strains of music, which attracted
hundreds to the affair
Once on the ground, the band
struck up patriotic airs, while the
mammouth flag pole was raised, ana
made secure. When the raising OF
the pole had been completed, SIX
Young ladies from the Office force
marched out with the big flag, bugle
calls by c. o. Ward being given at
the time. The flag, ten by sixteen
feet. the largest that could be secur-
ed. was then run TO the top of the
pole. as the Republic band played
The Star Spangled Banner. "
Scarcely a head could be seen in the
large crowd. which was not uncover
ed in honor of Old Glory, as it went
to the top of the pole and straighten-
ed out before the half gale, which was
blowing. Just as the flag was raised
a group of boy scouts fired salute
IN its honor.
The following address was given by
Rev. J. Frank Jackson;
AT time full of events which seem
to be changing the destiny OF ma
tions, we raise this flag. For more
than a hundred years the stars and
stripes have been unfurled to the
morning breeze, over no deed oil
which we need TO be ashamed, but
over many for which we have just
cause TO be profoundly thankful II
has been. and is now, and Will be to
the end of time, we trust, the un-
failing symbol of progressive free
dom. II has been borne by men who
carried food TO the hungry, medicine
to the sick, knowledge TO the ignor-
ant, and liberty TO the slave. IL re-
mains for the millions who enjoy the
protection vouchsafed by the power
which the flag represents, TO vow and
strictly 10 remember and keep that
vow. that neither in thought nor word
nor deed. will they bring dishonor up
OF, it at this great crisis OF our ma
tional life. And further, 70 vow that
whatever service shall be asked, might
always bearing in mind that the IN
tegrity and strength of nation lies
IN the faithfulness Of its people ana
the readiness with which they respond
To the calls OF constituted authority.
Possibly there will be little that we
can do. We hope and pray that the
messing burden Of this hour may
soon be lifted. But the moral support
which comes from strong deter
mination not TO fail to render our
lust due. will at times accomplish as
much as an army Of valiant men. we
are called upon to be loyal Surely
nothing less can be asked of Us. This
land is to be the home OF our chill
dren and children's children. We may
leave many good things to them but
we surely can leave nothing better
than a record of continuous loyalty
which manifested itself in ever ready
service. At this time we should not
criticize. We should ask to be com
manded and stand ready TO obey. We
have no foot Of land 10 spare for the
nan who fosters division, but every
place is open and free 20 the one who
has mower TO united
We salute this Emplem Of the So
vereignty of our County. and dedic-
ate to the preservation of its Honor
whatever means we possess and
whatever faculties we are endowed
with. even TO the extent of every
thing. not excepting life itself
Marcus Pollasky. again an Alma
resident. closed the program. and
brought home 10 the gathering the
points Of that great message which
Wilson read TO congress, when ne
asked for the declaration that state
of war existed between this country
and Germany He also departed from
this long enough to pay tribute TO
Frank w. Ruggles, the head of the
Republic Motor Truck Company, Inc
The flag which was raised, was one
purchased by the men Of the plant
who each "chipped in" small
amount towards the whole which was
needed. When the flag had been Sc
! cured the company put up the large
pole Immediately in front of the Of
fees Of the concern, where now Olc
Glory waves over the Republic overy
day.