Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-07-17
FAREWELL TO REV. wHAIEN.
Former DEBORAH Priest rendered
Farewell Receipt on VIII En-
ter Military Service.

Rev. ]. P. WhaIen, who departs
soon to enter the military service as
chaplain, was rendered farewell re-
ception by Cresco Council knights OIL
Columbus last evening at their lodge
rooms. Thee were nearly one hum
dred present when about 9 o'clock
Grand Knight F. A. Huber called the
meeting to order and in a, ye.y APP 4
propriate address stated the purpose
for which the friends of Father Wha-
len, were assembled. He then called
on the following gentlemen, all of
whom paid tribute to- tle guest Of
honor: Robert Thomson, DR.. Kessel,
ID. A. Lyons, Rev. Father Hogan o.
Deco ah, C. W. Reed, Rev. Father
Ryan, DR.. E. c. Forth, o. ]. Nc
Hugh, Lieut.. Gerald Lyons. Lieut.
Lyons is home on a short furlough
from Camp Dodge, and his talk was
principally on the life and conditions
of the sOldie' in the training camps.
He said that he looked forward with
eager anticipation to the day When
he would be ordered overseas and
that this feeling was shared by all
the boys in camp.
| At the conclusion Of the speech
making NJ. Huber presented Father
| Whalen with a purse of about S150,
a gift from his brother Knights of
Columbus. A handsome wrist watch
was presented by friends who are not
members of the knights of Colum-
bus. Father Whalen responded by
thanking his brothers 70: the sub
stantial expression of their good will
and to all the friends there assem-
bled for theic manifestation of in
terest in his welfare. He said be
counted it a great privilege and an
honor to be given an opportunity 70
serve his country in the work which
has been assigned him, and that he
would he strengthened and inspired
by the knowledge that the people at
home are in earnest sympathy with
the cause in which he has enlisted.
! A quartet composed of Messrs. c.
C. Burgess, Joe Burgess, F. D. Mead
and Sterling Bockoven enlivened the
occasion with several rousing patriot
ic selections. dainty Hoover lunch
also was one of the pleasing diver
sions
During the brief time which Father
Whalen has been resident of Cres-
co he has formed many close friend
ships and enjoys wide acquaintance
among all classes of people. He has
> taken keen interest in all commune
: ty affairs and finds enjoyment in the
wholesome amusements and sports
which appeal so strongly to the red
I, blooded American youth. In the bat
] tle-scarred regions of France he will
bring good cheer and fellowship to
those who are suffering and in need.
The traits of character which have
made him popular with all classes in
Cresco will endear him to the soldier
/ boys across the seas. That he will
make good rs the belief of those who
know him best; that he may return
safe and sound is the hope of all,zT
lCresco Times. 90,
1.-THE above voices the sentiments
of all his DEBORAH friends also.
| We understand that another re-
f'ception will be rendered Father Wha
len at DEBORAH by his former parish
noers and friends here. The date
has been set for Monday evening,
July %, at eight o'clock and will as
planned now be held In the basement
OF ST Benedicts new Catholic church.