Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-06-21
A Flag Day Address.

The following address was delivered by
Mr.. H. J. Hunt, 3rd. at the commentator
Of the Service Flag at Lanham, Prince
Georges county. Md, on Flag Day. Friday,
June l4th, 1918:
Mr.. Chairman. Ladies and Gentlemen -
| have been asked by Mr. Alfred Harvey.
Of your community. to say a few words to
you, but must crave your pardon for not
having had an opportunity to prepare for
such an occasion, for it was only day or
two ago that was honored by his invita-
ton, but come with feeling of deep in
terest and great affection for any son of
Maryland who offers his all for freedom
and democracy.
am proud to be here with you today
not only as citizen Of the United States,
but also as a fellow-citizen of Maryland.
| hail from your neighboring county Of
good old Montgomery and bring with me
message on this great Flag Day from my
fellow-countians to you of Prince Georges
that we are with you to the end in the
present conflict to maintain the name and
spirit Of Maryland, My Maryland, when
ever our country calls.
have been asked to interpret the mean
ing that the stars OH this Service Flag
which we have just raised. carries home
TO every heart of the Nation.
To me each of those stars which floats
out upon the breeze and shimmers in the
golden sunlight Of Maryland means more
than the mere fact that one of our sons has
gone into the military or naval service
1t signifies, my friends, that each Of those
men who are represented by a star on yon
flag has given his body, his spirit, his soul,
his all, to the Mother of Freedom and De-
mocracy, the good old U. S. A., and by so
doing he has become glorified throughout
every corpuscle and sinew of his earthly
body and the spirit Of the soul within him.
Can you not hear the call coming home
to every wife, parent and relative among
you : A call not of discouragement, not Of
fear, not Of self-sacrifce, but a message of
hOpNf a hNoodbC vi NOuidkCt q lIltSSdkt VI
fearlessness and bravery from every man
as he leaves our beautiful Shores not
knowing wither he will 90 or whence he
may return. but each and every one with
that wonderful determination, which only
true Americans can understand. to perish
if need be that the cause OF liberty and
freedom shall live.
Already. understand, two boys who are
represented by stars on that flag have been
wounded in glorious action. Think of them,
pray for them. and all who have gone and
will 60. Follow them over the briny deep
and into the thick Of the fight as bravely
and heroicaly they march into the very
jaws of death; and remember, my friends,
that they are fighting your battle, for your
protection. and for the cause of justice and
humanity, that the chastity of your moth
ers, your sisters, and your daughters. shall
not be violated by Prussian devils who
have even stopped to rob the prisoners and
the wounded of their manhood.
too, my friends. have loved ones on the
other side. My only two living uncles, two
Of my brothers, my brother-in-law, and ten
of my closest cousins, have offered their
lives to their country. One of them was
killed in action on the western front little
more than three weeks ago; another, Major
Andrew B. Drum, of the Fighting Marine
Corps" was severely injured while risking
his own life to save those two little French
girls who were fleeing terrified before the
shell fire of the Huns. only wish that |,
too. could lay down my life so gloriously
for my native land.
And now, my friends. in conclusion, let
me ask that when you 60 home tonight you
get down on your knees and thank God
that He has given this nation the power
and courage TO carry out the convictions of
Justice and right, for which it stands, that
humanity and civilization may come into
their own; and when that grand review Of
our victorious troops marching up Penn
sylvania Avenue is held after this war is
over and they pass at salute before the
Commander-in-Chief of the Army and
Navy, 1t will be Woodrow Wilson, the
greatest President that this country has
ever had, who will greet them and convey
to them the heartfelt thanks of a greatful
nation; and in the beautiful rotunda of
the Capitol at Washington, where hangs
that treasured picture Of Washington
Crossing the Delaware" another picture
will be hung beside it, and the new picture
will portray "Pershine Crossing the Rhine"
with his noble followers as they march on
to Berlin and victory. thank you.