Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1918-02-19
WESTERN SOLDIERS;
FRENCH CEREMONY
OUR BOYS PRAISED BY FRENCH
GENERAL AT HERO CERE-
MONlAL.
BRAVERY MEDAL T0W0UNDED
Swaying of German Armies Behind
Lines Causes no Fear to Allies
Every American Determined to
Sweep Back Attack.

With the Pacific Northwest Troops,
Somewhere in France.-For the first
time in history soldiers from the
Pacific northwest, including men from
eastern and western Washington,
Idaho, Oregon and Montana, partici-
pated in the ceremony of awarding
the coveted decoration of the Legion
of Honor This priced badge of
bravery was given on this occasion to
nine French officers, and to IL sol
diers was given the military cross.
American troops have been pres
ent on many other occasions of cere-
mony on foreign soil, but it is not i'm
the memory of military men that
troops from the Pacific northwest
region have ever before been honored
by being made part of the pageant
in the awarding of French hero
medals.
Notable Event.
This celebration was marked, as it
always is, by unusual pomp and cere-
mony Our bands and our national
and Pacific northwest regimental col
ors were given a position of honor in
the parade after the review. Present
were many prominent French officers.
The mayor and the most influential
and noted citizens of the city and the
surrounding country were in the re-
viewing stand. The presentation was
made in a public square and tens OF
thousands of French inhabitants sur
rounded the rectangle, the people
crowding every vantage point the bet
ter to see the ceremony.
Praises Northwest Troops.
When the decoration ceremonies
were over a French general of high
command made a notable speech from
the balcony of the Red Triangle head
quarters, in which he complimented
highly the regiments from the Pacific
northwest, commenting on the splen-
did showing made by our soldiers.
The French officers receiving the
decoration of the Legion of Honor
had suffered severe wounds and the
insignia which now adorns each uni
form indicates the number of times
the recipient has been wounded
The scene, deeply impressive, was
also pathetic Most of the soldiers
who were decorated are minus leg,
several have lost both arms, and some
of them are unable to walk unassisted.
These men were helped by comrades
to stand before the officers who con-
ferred the decorations and medals.
Officers who are returning from the
training school say the school has
graduated, among others, one officer
who as a boy carried a paper route of
the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The
diploma of r. ID. Dentler Worcester
building, of Portland, Ore, reads that
he is the best student ever graduated
from the training camp.
Calmly Wait Huns.
knowledge that the German legions
on the west front, now reinforced by
many divisions from the Russian front,
are rehearsing war moves 80 miles be-
hind the line in preparation for the
big smash fails to disturb the French,
British and American commanders.
The artillery fire of the Germans,
which is growing in volume and at
times is intense, indicates that the
Huns are feeling out what they be-
lieve might be weak spots on the al
lied fronts.
The Americans, from the general in
command down to the newest private,
have let it be known that when the
enemy attacks. if indeed he does, he
will find warm reception committee