Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-05-31
Memorial Day Celebration

Memorial Day was ushered in this year in cloud and
mist and fog, with threatening rain, but this expected COM
plement was happily not included in the weather statistics
for the day; which was most fortunate for all the men,
women and children, who assembled for the parade prompt
1y at two p. m. as advertised, at the corner of Boardwalk
and Young avenue, where stands the big Washington
building. Whether by design or accident, nothing could
have been more appropriately arranged than for this sacred
procession to begin its steady march from the base of a
structure bearing the name of the Father of our Country,
upon whose brow rests forever the immortal wreath of fame.
O. I. Blackwell m~arshalled the parade and sent it on its
way at go, with Lambiose's Philadelphia band discoursing
music suited to the solemn occasion. Abreast with the mar
shall walked G. H. Huppert, Harry c. Koeneke, and H. L.
Stricken, of Wildwood Crest. The Wildwood City Com
missioners held the second position in the line, followed by
a detachment of IA members of the Wildwood Home
Guards. Next appeared the little May Queen, Rosalind
Myers, with her two diminutive attendants, Katharine
Townsend and Marjorie Williams. Behind this dainty trio
marched 500 true-blooded, loyal American school children,
each flying their country's flag, emblematic of sad events
that took place nearly half a century ago, when our beloved
country was nearly rent in twain. 1t was to pay tribute to
the brave men, living and dead who struggled for us
then, that this march was made yesterday and carried over
the usual route, finally rounding up at the Casino Pier,
where a concentration was made in the auditorium, already
thronged with citizens and Visitors, both in the main hall
and in the galleries. -
City Treasurer Kay announced that owing to weather
conditions, the May pole andfolk dances would be given in
the auQ1tOrlumJ III StdunS ludt HIS was liz hts LING TIC
beach had ever been robbed of such Memorial day delights
Occupying the stage with the &President of the Board of
Trade, we're seen the Mayor OF Wildwood and his associate
commissioners; Philip P. Baker, J. Thompson Baker, G. H.
Huppert, Hon. VIM. Ellis, of Illinois; @. l. Blackwell, Rev.
I. f. Fisher and Rev. A. G. Bailey. Mr.. Fisher led the
audience in singing my Country, it's of Thee and then
Mr.. Bailey offered a supplcaion. J. Thompson Baker gave
a short address of welcome and then introduced the speaker
of the day, the man from Illinois, Mr.. Ellis, now a member
of the legal department in Director-Genera McAdoo's
Offices at Washington, D. c. Mr.. Ellis had the sympathy
of the audience in the great disadvantage he was put to by
being compelled to read his speech. On an occasion of this
kind an extemporaneous outpouring of the feelings would
have been far better.
While the band played that soul stirring march, STARS
and Stripes Forever" the May pole dance was executed
smartly by "a girls and boys, selected from the marching
ranks. The intricate winding and weaving of the alternate
red, white and blue bands, excited the wonder and admira-
ton of all beholders and thrilled them with patriotic fervor.
After the completion of the May pole dance, a folk dance
was given by II of Miss Fishers High school girls. Owing
to deficient musical accompaniment, this dance was not a
pronounced success. Next year it will be better done.
After the folk dance there was a great rush for the beach
to see the launching of the gaily-decorated floral boat, which
ceremony closed the features of the day, and our bit toward
honorine the heroes of 81 was finished.