The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-05-31
ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY
OBSERVANCE YESTERDAY ONE OF
MOST NOTABLE EVER HELD HERE
Thousands Aided Veterans of Grand Army The Repub
lie In Paying Honor to the Nations Dead-Parade
One Biggest and Best Ever Held, and Throngs Wit
Messing It Crowded Entire Line of March.

In ever decreasing numbers but
still with the same indomitable spirit
which sent them to the front more
than so years ago to fight for the
preservation of their country from
disunion, and which carried them
through the hardships of the Civil
War, the veterans of the Grand Army
of the Republic, aided by organiza-
lions and citizens of Bridgeport, yes
terday paid loving tribute to the
fallen heroes of that great conflict.
Many of the veterans are bowed
! with the infirmity of years, and oc-
cupied automobiles in the line of the
big parade preceding the exercises at
Seaside park, but others walked as
through the So years since the end
of the war have fallen lightly upon
them Their carriage was fully as
erect even if their step was less
sprightly. Although their numbers
have decreased, their respect for
| their fallen comrades has not fallen
off, and they are still ready to pay the
| loving tribute which custom has de-
creed in honor of the men who
| fought in 1865
Entrance of the United States into
the world war has had the effect of
stimulating the patriotism of the peo-
pie of the city, and never in its his
tory have so many taken part in a
Memorial Day parade, and never has
a. parade been witnessed by SO large a
gathering. Long before the hour set
for the parade to move. the streets
along the line of march were lined
deep with people waiting for it to
pass. Never has SO much enthusiasm
| been shown for the veterans, who
passed through line of constantly
applauding spectators.
AS whole the parade was one of
the best and biggest ever held in the
city in honor of Memorial Day. In
GLIDING the women and school pupils
l there were probably more than 10000
marchers in line, and from the time
of it's start from Broad street and
Fairfield avenue until the last organi-
zation has passed by one hour and 20
minutes elapsed. There were only
a few brief halts during this interval
in any portion of the long line.
While the chief interest of course
sRwas conferred in the veterans of Elias
Howe, Jr. Post, G. A. R., most OF
S whom marched while the remainder
; occupied automobiles, many other
= organizations in the long line came in
? for well merited applause. The
s Bridgeport police department in com
n mand of Supt. J. H. Redgate in foul
:. companies, each commanded by E
i captain, made a very fine showing
2 The Connecticut State Guard, com
manded by Lieut.-Col. S. P. Cronan
had the appearance of real soldiers
: marched well, and added the rea
military touch to the Parade. Thu
battalion of Naval Reserves unde
!, comand of Lieut.. -Commander Leon
= ard H. Ryer led the organization, ant
was received with applause along tn
" line.
/ One of the notable features was tn
large number of women in line, tn
d, members of the Bridgeport Wa
W Bureau and Minute Women march
ing. as did the teachers of the publ
d, schols. and the women employees O
IS the city Ali made excellent appear
ance and were recipients of heart
d, applause.
IS The Boy Scouts turned out in larg
numbers and acquitted themselve