Saint Mary's beacon., 1918-07-25

The Catholics Of Sc. JoIn's. Holly
wood, aided BY their non-C ttholic fel
low citizens, had q hag-raisihg en- Inde
pendence Day that was probably fhs
greatest affair Of its kind ever held In
the Sixth District. St. Johns has al
ready thirty-two boys enrolled IN Uncls
Sans forces, a percentage that viii
compare favorably with any other par
ish IN the county.
The celebration which was originally
planned to be made strictly aparish at
fair, developed into community event,
because residents from several parts OF
the county saw in It an opportunity to
manifest their loyalty to their country
and their devotion to the ideals Of our
government, and joined their efforts to
make this event historic In the annals
OF their community.
The center Of tine celebration was the
lawn In front Of st. Johns, where q
stage had been erected and two forty
seven-foot poles had been raised-one
for new National flag and the other
for the service flag. The front Of the
church was arrayed in bunting, and the
community residents were bedecked in
holiday attire. Every feature of the
celebration moved with clock-like pre-
eision, which showed in no uncertain
way the extraordinary manner In which
the committee, headed by Mr.. James
Fenner Lee, had carried on their work.
AS the head Of the parade reached
the church lawn the mound was filled
with patriotic citizens. The great SER
vice flag with it's circles of thirty-two
stars, carried by st. Johns Junior Dra-
matte Society, was naturally the big
thing Of the parade. and many a mo.
ther, father, wife, sister or brother bad
q tear 70 shed as Il passed by and sure
ly ''Old Glory" took upon itself nobler
and greater meaning than II had ever
possessed before.
First on the program was the raising
Of new National flag. As II ioated
gradually and majestically towards the
clear, blue vault Of heaven, "0ld Glory"
received a salute Of twenty-one guns.
Then followed the blessing and rsising
Of the service flag and a salute. Fami-
lies Of the boys In service surrounded
the flag ataifs during these exercises
and many n blessing was invoked. many
prayer offered for the dear ones far
away and never 10 be forgotten. Spec
tHtora next occupied chairs In front Of
the stage and Mr. John II. T. Briscoe,
IN the name of HE fellow-citizens and
fellow-parishoners. formally presented
the service flag. Many times during
his feryent remarks. Mr.. Briscoe was
greeted with loud applause. After his
address the singers. under the direction
Of Miss Mae Bowles. sang some patri.
otic airs and war eonRa After The
Declaration Of Independence had been
read 10 clear tones and mastery style
by Mrs n ST. StAskweatAer, the chair
man introduced the Orator Of the Day,
Rev James MaRuire. 8 j.. Of Leon.
ardtowu. Nd r. AaRpirc's speech
was masterpiece o. cOuciaeness Rnsi
brillisuey and enthused the large sud.
icnce with dccp feeling nf patriotism
aGd pride IN what they had done for
their beloved country
In the evening patriotic entertain.
mcnt waH staged by ST Johns Senior
and Junior Dramatic Societies in the par.
iSh hall before large and patriotic
audience
IL the anai number ~ the program.
tht Misses 3 ard A Russell, Mr.. John
II r Briscoc and MIR Cecil Ruaaeii
showed iu q very amusing manner ko9
10 solve the get help qnest5eg.
A reception and dance closed the days
festivities