Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-11-07
KRAMER


II cannot say and I win not say
That they are dead: they are just
away,
With CHEEKY smile and wave Of
the hand,
They have wandered into an an
known land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
1t needs must be, since they linger
there,
And, o! You who the widest yearn
For the old bed time step and the
glad return
Think of them faring on as dear
In the love of there as the love of
here.
Think of them still as the same I
say;
They are not dead they are just a.
way Riley
John Irwin Kramer was born
March IL, 1895 died of wounds in
France Oct z. 1918--the sad intel
igence of his death was received
by his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. H. B.
Kramer Nov. /. 1918. John left for
Camp Lee in Oct. of last year and
after short furlough home embark
ed for over seas duty the last of
May.
He was a member of Belington
Lodge Of A. F. and A. M. no 1876
was also an active member of the
Young Mems M. E.. Sunday School
Class.
John was the first from our town
to make the supreme sacrifice. He
leaves to mourn his untimely end
his parents Mr.. and Mrs. H. B.
Kramer, one brother Cecil Kramer
and one sister Mrs. Isaac N. Price
Our deepest sympathy goes out to
these on whom the burden of sor-
row hangs heavy.
\ The folds of the American flag
never floated over a truer soul or
Drawer soldier than John Kramer.
Old Glory never shrouded more
devoted or dutiful son than he who
sleeps amid the windowless palace
Of rest over there where the petals
or rose and lily alike are stained
with heroes blood. He died amid
the roar of the battlefeld--the blare
of bugles and the rattle of drums
Died for noble cause it is true.
But eyes were washed by tears of
grief and hearts bled with sadness
When the wires sent the message
that John was dead-He whom we
saw but few short months ago in
the strength of manhood midsummer
Of youth march so bravely away.
Our first sacrifice on the Affairs of
the God of War. Everybody knew
Johnnie was everybody's friend
and no ones enemy big hearted, 0 pen
minded and courteous his friend
liness endeared him in the hearts of
all who knew him. No one, ever
saw John Kramer grouchy, Grabbed
or out of sorts always the same
sunny disposition greeted you with
that sincere hand clasp born of
truthfulness. Eulogies for such as
he, are inexpressing in comparison
of the real man, the little cross may
mark his tent of clay where sentries
pass and repass monumental stones
may be reared to his memory, mil
|itary salutes fired above his soldier
bed. But the memory Of his virtues
which live in the hearts Of those
who knew him are far nobler than
these, -Our soldier hero sleeps be-
meath the stars and clouds of France
Careless alike to sunshine and
Storm" His soul at rest, his body
free from pain and death. Many
hearts are bowed with grief and
sorrows tears are wet upon the
cheek A mothers heart is bleeding
ia fathers head is bowed But after
all Gods will be done. Time may
heal the wounds that grief has
made but the crimson sears will
never fade. The chair is vacant in
the home where he is most missed
But his spirit scars above the
Ireeking, bloodstained trench far a.
boye the lowering clouds Of battle
smoke. Our tears migle with those
who are heart broken and sac
but no word comes from the un.
replying dead. Thou art gone but
not forgotteA.