The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-12-19
Judge Maxwell Offers a Good Mem
Olial Hall Suggestion.

Judge Thos. l.. Maxwell OF Cres-
ton, has made splendid suggestion
for memorial building in honor OF
Union cOunty'S soldiers, sailors ana
marines, the dead and the living:
There is a provision in the laws OF
Iowa, providing that upon the prop
er petition signed by a majority OF
the members of the G. A. r., Posts
of the county, the board shall sub
nit the question Of levying small
tax for the purpose OF creating. a
fund for the erection of soldier
and sailors monument, or memorial
hall. Now that the war is over,
Decatur county should no. not stand
back, but take steps to take adVan-
tage of this provision Of the law, and
erect suitable memorial hall or
monument for our brave boys who
made the supreme sacrifice.
Here is Judge MaxWells sugges-
ton:
In many communities people are
discussing plans, methods, ways and
means for the construction OF mem
orials in honor of our soldiers, sail
ors, and marines, the dead and the
living This is commendable; it is
right; it is simply justice, and evil
dences appreciation of the victories
won and sacrifices made.
OF course Union county will do
something along this line. We are.
patriotic; we are appreclative; we
want to treasure the memory of our
dead and honor the living. Those
who have made the supreme sacri-
flee deserve fitting memorial, and
those who are spared to come home
ought to be honored by their fellow
citizens. The only question to be
determined in this county is what
is best, what is most fitting, and how
shall we proceed to carry out the
plans after they are determined.
| have thought of nlan which
seems to me highly appropriate and
entirely feasible, want to propose
that We erect a Red Cross Memorial
building in honor OF our soldiers,
living and dead This building to be
owned by and maintained under the
Union county Red Cross. 1t should
be of a style of architecture impos-
ing attractive, and memorial in type
and finish. | would further suggest
that within this building there shall
be adequate quarters for the Red
Cross, and facilities to take care OF
the boys and girls, young men and
auditorium, gymnasium, reading
rooms, library, game rooms, in fact
a community center for the people,
management and supervision to be
by the Red Cross county organiza-
ton and the rooms and facilities
open to all the people, subject to
such general rules and regulations
as will maintain discipline and good
order, but absolutely non-sectarian,
non-political, with no restrictions
upon creed or religious belief.
Within or on this building | also
propose that there be suitable tab
lets inscribe thereon the names OF
those Union county boys who gave
their lives in the service of their
country, with proper information,
regiment, company, date of death,
etc. Inside the building to be a
roll of honor of all Union county
men and women who have served
their country in any military or
naval way during this great war for
humanity.
1t seems to me that this would be
a fitting memorial to those who
died in service as we'll as the living;
and also a community center for all
of our people, under the supervision
of the great Red Cross society,
which is dear to the hearts of every
soldier. sailor. and marine, and be-
loved by all the people.
| respectfully submit this plan for
the consideration of our people with
the hope that it may have serious
and conscientious thought.
ThOS L. MAXWELL