The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1918-06-26
DRAFT SELECTS
WERE GIVEN A
ROYAL FAREWELL
BOARD OF COMMERCE HONORs
MEN LEAVING AND ALSO ALL
WHO HAVE CONE

The reception and farewell given by
the board of commerce at its TUESDAY
night luncheon was the biggest meet
lngs ever held by the members Of the
organization and was fitting honor
to the boys who left this city this noon
and to the boys who have left this
city IN the past to go and take their
part in the righting of the wrongs
which the enemies of this great coun-
try are attempting to thrust and
force upon the people of the world.
The time previous to the supper
was spent In social intercourse and in
getting acquainted with those of the
departing detects with whom one
happened to have but slight acquaint-
ance and everyone enjoyed themselves
until the word was passed out that
the spread was ready and spread it
was, too. Really it hit the right
spot so squarely that for the life of
US we. couldn't see but what Chief
Rockefeller and his aides were all
right and Mr.. Hoover and his ideas
about no extra meals, all wrong.
After the supper, Chairman r.
Howard Hall called the meeting to
order and small matter of sending
delegates to a meeting of war dls-
trlbution board to Grand Rapids on
thursday was taken care of by hav-
ing Mr.. Hall and Elmer Fales selected
as delegates to the meeting from this
city. Mr.. Hall then turned the meet
ing over to Lloyd Underwood. who
acted as chaieman throughout the
meeting.
Mr.. Underwood called upon Rev.
w. A. Bliss to dedicate the large SER
vice flag which bore 103 stars and
which was a gift Of the board Of
commerce to the city of Belding in
honor of the 103 men who hsve gone
forth to fight from this city. Mr..
Bliss gave a very good. stirring pat
liotic speech and in concluding called
the names of the Is men who were to
go from this city and as the names
were called each man arose and at
the same time, Miss Florence Wash
burn, or Miss Genevieve Bliss, attired
in Red Cross garb, pinned star upon
the flag for the man called, Fiji
teen stars were put on the flag and
the following men answered to their
names: William Case, Will Richard
son, Albert Salzman. Arthur Strong,
Fred A. Haynes, Rem Barker, Earl
Green, Albert Houseman, John Will
son and Mark Osworth.
The following are the names of
the men who failed to answer to
their names: Wilford Fuller, Albert
Coleman, Merton Wood. Jesse Alten-
berg and Leonard Price.
After Mr.. Bliss finished telling what
the flag stood for, Chairman Under
wood stated that there was one more
thing which the flag stood for and
that was no monkeying.
Mayor Fales was the next speaker
and spoke in thanks to the board of
commerce for the fine flag which they
were presenting the city. After tell
or is famous, he finished with the
poem by Edgar Guest, "The Kid Has
Gone to the Colors."
John F. Kohn, of Otisco, was also
speaker and gave a short patriotic
talk. F. A. Washburn, always brim
full and running over with the right
and only kind of Americanism, also
talked.
Harold Domke, member of the
state constabulary, home on furlough,
gave a short talk full of advice to the
men who were to leave. II. j. Leon
ard also spoke briefly but stated that
inasmuch as he was billed to talk at
the opera house tonight he would not
make a speech.
In closing, Mr.. Hall asked Rev. FIR.
Klich to give the boys Godspeed and
God'swill on their journey and the
priest taking the text Greater love
hath no man than that he give his
life for his fellowmen," gave the boys
rousing good patriotic talk. In
the name of God he wished them sue
cess, happiness. a safe voyage, vic
tory and happy return home.
As an honor to the men who have
already gone, the assemblage stood
up and in minute of silent prayer
asked Gods blessing upon the men at
the front.
Music and sing ing were furnished
for the event by Mr.. and Mrs. Bert
Rummler and Hal Burriss and it was
highly appreciated.
Hospital Needs Canned Goods.
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