Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1918-06-26
GREAT CROWD HERE
T0SEE BOYS LEAVE
Largest Contingent Of Kandiyohi
County Boy: off to Camp
Grant.

Monday was indeed a big day at
Willmar. Not less than ono hundred
and nineteen of Kandiyohi County's
young men under the selective serv-
ice had been called to the county seat
to be inducted into the United States
army and sent to training camp. No
wonder then that there was an i'm
mense crowd Of relatives and friends,
who had come to bid them goodbye
After the official business incident
to the induction of the boys was
finished at the court room in the
morning, S. L. Benton presented the
boys the matter of army insurance
explaining the system and urging the
boys to avail themselves OF the same.
Sheriff Bonde also made a talk. He
complimented the boys and said that
KandiyOhi was one of the most loyal
counties in the state, every man call
ed having reported for duty. Not
one Stacker. County Auditor Samuel
Nelson also made short address to
the boys. Later the boys were lined
up for the official photograph which
was taken by Elkjer Bros. 1t might
be we'll to mention in this connection
that these photographs taken of our
departing recruits from time to time
are something which will be of his
torical value in the future and the
Elkjer Bros. are to be complimented
for the persistency with which they
have kept up the work.
At 1880, headed by the Raymond
Band with Private Norling of the U. S.
Army and Sailor Krogfus of the Navy
carrying the colors, the boys marched
down town where dinner was given
at the Merchants, Commercial, Savoy
and DelmOnico cafes.
At one o'clock an immense crowd
Of people had gathered at the court
house grounds where the band played
several selections and speeches were
made.
Judge Gilbert presided and on call
ing for the opening number from the
Raymond Band, proposed hearty
cheer for the musicians referring
tc them as band of patriots. Incl
dentally it might be mentioned that
three of the members were among
the boys inducted on that day. The
service flag on their drum contained
seven stars.
Mr.. Gilbert in his opening remarks
said that there was no use denying
the fact that the leave taking of the
boys had it's elements of sadness. but
that the main object of the occasion
nevertheless was to cheer them on
and show them honor and respect.
Supt. Foster of the Willmar Schools
was introduced. He congratulated
the boys on having become part of
the big U. S. Army which is now get
ting into the world struggle at the
psychological time. He believed that
the American boys would make good
on the battle fields because Of their
wide vision, their diversified training,
their devotion to their government and
because they had been called to pro-
tect our sacred ideals. He said sue
cess in army had the same requisites
as success in civil life, making oneself
worthy and being always ready to do
ones duty. He recommended the boys
to spend their spare time usefully,
and save their money. He said Uncle
Sam is acting the part of the big
brother promising to help the smaller
nations. That our army was not one
of destruction but one bent on an
ultimate peace with justice.
The band then played the "Starry
Emblem March" and Rev. J. N. Ander-
sen of Willmar was the next speaker.
He referred to the fact that the day
was Midsummer Day and the sun
was just "going over the top" He said
this brought to our thoughts the brave
boys in the trenches who are "going
over the top" He then gave vivid
description of what that means. But
if going over the top means sacrifice,
we who are at home must "go over the
top" Kandiyohi county was that day
| going-over-the-top by giving 124 of her
sons. And the speaker said 1--WE are
willing and ready to do it again." He
then described how mothers especially
are "going over the top" And father
too; he as well as mother Is willing
that their boy should go-they want
him to but it means sacrifice. In cor.
clusion the speaker spoke especially
to the boys. He said that when you
60 over the top you enter no mans
land. So you today, know not the
future-what is to come-but, I'm
Thee do I put my Trust" boys, par
ents, country. He admonished the
boys to put their trust in God. There
may be some who have not thought
much about God before they entered
the war, but going over the tol
brought many one to think abou
Parents, God, Comfort and Country
Let us not put our trust in horses ant
chariots and men, much as we neet
them. but in God. II not, we will neve
win the war; or If we do, it will be O
no benefit to US.
"God bless the boys in their figh
] for Gcd, for country and for home"
The exercises closed with singin
of America by the big audience, al
ter which the crowd marched to tn
depot where the soldier boys boarde
$~I A. L. $~a