New-York tribune., 1918-05-31
500 Veterans of'61
Follo.u Tattered
Flags IL, Parade

Five hundred veterans of the Civil
War followed their tattered flags once
more on Riverside Drive yesterday
morning in the Memorial Day parade.
The flags, too worn to be unfurled,
were carried wrapped in shreds around
their gilded staffs, but the veterans
trudged along regardless of the chill,
with which anxious relatives sought to
provide them. None was under sixtyN
five years, and many were over eighty
but pride in having achieved another
Memorial Day parads sustained them
to the great moment when they passed
the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
A few of the gnarled hands quivered
as they turned to salute Mayor Hylan
and the other officials in the review
ing stand. A few of the slow feet
dragged behind their comrades, unable
to keep step even with the inspiring
music of the bands. Greater numbers
than ever rode in the carriages at the
end of the division, and more women
and childrep strode along beside
grandfathers in the ranks. All these
things, however, were lost in the
cheers and applause with which New
York expressed once more her pride
in the heroes of "Sixty-one."
Belgian Veterans in Line
1t was their day. The stalwar,
fighters of the Spanish war and slim
hoys who are the fighters of to-day
made up the bulk Of the marchers, but
it was plain that they were there in
purely honorary capacity. To do hon.
or to the veterans, too, the first heroes
of the present war, Belgian veterans
Of August. 1914, made their first public
appearance here. There were 800 OF
them, In mustard colored khaki uni.
forms, dented steel helmets, telling
the same story that was told in the
medals and crosses which glittered or
their chests. They trudged along
smiling, frankly pleased with the
cheers. They were led by Major Leor
Oterrich, who brought them through
Russia and to this country via Vladi.
vostok, in order to take part in the
Liberty Loan drive in the West, just
as the French "Blue Devils" and
Pershing's veterans helped in the
-Four "Blue Devils" swung along
with the air of veterans to whom New
YORK parade crowds afforded now only
mild pleasure, not the astonished rap.
ture of their frst appearances.
SIX battleships in the Hudson fired
tneir heavy guns in salute to the hon.
ored dead at the conclusion Of the
parade, when the veterans placed
nowers on the Soldiers and Sailors
monument. 1t was solemn end Of
q solemn parade, in which the FIGHT.
Ing men of to-day stopped for few
hours their preparations for anotheY
great war to do honor to the men who
went through the same experiences
hffy-scven years ago.
The crowds which watched the vet
Grams We're smaller than those which
gather for Fifth Avenue parades, but
the short route up Riverside Drive
from seventy-second Street to Ninety.
nrst was chosen out of consideration
for the aged men Of tho Grand Armv
The gray, chilly day, too, was partly
responsible for the small numbers. al.
though many remarked that II was
easier FOR the old men to march or
such day than in the heat wh;ch
often makes brilliant Memorial Dsv
the last day for overambitious VET.
erans. Wv
Mayor Hylan Reviews Parade
Mayor Hylan, accompanied by Will.
lam r. Kirchner, OF the 6. A. r.. ar.
rived at the reviewing stand shortly
after $3.50. The parade, which had
been waiting the signal of his arrival
started immediately, led by the navaj
training boys from Pelham Bay.
The guard of honor for the review.
Ing officers consisted OF veteran nom
bers Of the Old Guard. Thoy wsre sil
in khaki, with tne exception of Lieu
tenant James c. Summers. Of the
United States navy. Lieutenant sum. !.
nerx, who is sixty-four years old and
was for many yeArs yachting editor of
The Tribune, received his old rank il
the navy when the war broke out, Re-
hind the PelhaEa Bay sailors marched
the InAw Now York Guard. COMMANDED
By Brigadier General George &. Dyer.
rank upon rank of reserves Tor 80
oxi1tna! units of the Gnard who are
now 6yhtdng ia Francs. :
The Womsn's Radio Corps. IA xhaxi.