The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-01-16
MAYOR BIDS TROOPS OFFICIAL WELCOME
Elks Spanish War Veterans, Old Soldiers,
Boy Scouts and Company of Greek Citi-
zens, Band and Drum Corps Join
in Demonstration.
Company Z is home.

Company L is home.
Amid scenes Of patriotic
splendor Keokuk welcomed
back her. sons.
Off to the war they went
June %, 1916; to the far flung
battle line of Mexico, on the
great adventure. On January
is, 1917 they returned to the
ways of peace.
Gladly they went and glad
ly, also, they came back. Back
from the land of soldering to
the welcoming circle Of moth
ers' arms, sisters kisses, IA
theirs. brothers and friends
I hand clasps, and the plaudits
Of IN appreciative city.
! amid the playing OF bands,
waving of flags, the glare Of
rockets and red fire, and the
cries Of welcome Of a multitude
Of enthusiastic citizens, Com
pany L Of Keokuk came home,
aboard the Rock Island from
Des Moines.
As the great headlight of
the train pierced the dark
shadows Of the night, the sig
nal of the coming of a COM
pany's, Of a nation IS and city's
heroes. a great shout went up
from the waiting hundreds and
continued while the boys de-
trained.
Were Greeted With Cheers.
AS the company filed out OF the
train, they were greeted with the
pent up emotion of seven months:
with laughs and tears and embraces
and handshakes.
Crowds surrounded the boys in
Khaki and cheered them, and the
whole city rang with the praise of its
returning sons, who through trial and
sacrifice have kept Keokuks honor
burning in the hall made light by
the sacrifices of other generations of
men, who as gladly and as light
heartedly went of to the civil and
Spanish wars.
Hearty and hale, straight and stall
worth, Company L looked the band
Of soldiers it was, soldiers that city
and nation might well be proud Of
The border with all Of its trials and
tribuations has added to the man
hood Of nations volunteers.
Company L will never forget its
adventures to the southland. and 1t
Is likely never to regret them.
either. The guardsmen have all been
benefited by the experience. Many
who vent as mere boys-such as mas
made up this country's armies in the
past-have returned men. Seven
months has been new life to many.
life that has awakened the inn
pulses of youth into golden man
hood.
hou9htS Ever WIFI mem.
keokuk is glad to get back her
soldiers. The thoughts and hopes
and fears Of many have been with
them through the long months of
Their virgil on the border. They
have not been forgotten, and the
fonsing welcome given them last
night Is evidence Of city's appre-
eiation of it's new heroes.
For heroes they are, in every sense
OF the word The United States and
mexico are at war. so the supreme
court of this country has ruled. And
although Company L fought no san
guine battles under the stars and
ssripes on the sand riven deserts OF
Nexico and Texas, nevertheless. the
members of the company went to the
porder prepared for any eyentuality
and ready to give their all for their
country.
In leaving positions. friends and
aear ones, they made the supreme
sacrifice. to go at their country's
cal to great adventure from which
many might never return.
They did NOT uiva chair hind hssf