Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-23
GARDENERS
SERVICE FLAG
IS RAISED

nave been conducted in this city for
number of years were those held
thursday evening, at which time a
service flag bearing 176, stars each
one representing a Gardiner bow who
mas entered the service of his country
IS a protector OF our nation and our
Fcmes. The surrounding towns are
not included Two gold stars at the
Top Of the central field. representing
the two who have laid down their
lNes for US. Albert Andrews and
Frederick McMaster.
Near the corner of Church and Wa
ier. street was erected the stand for
the speakers, draped in red. white
ana. blue bunting while above f1oated
the service flag and a new national
tag. Throngs OF people gathered to
attend the exercises. Much enjoy
n.ent was added through the presence
81 the band of the National Home
which rendered several selections
curing the evening. Mr.. l.. c. Bal
i"rd acting as chairman and intro
duced the speakers. The flag was
presented by Mayor Charles J. Brac-
con who said in part: We are gath
way our love and appreciation. love
.,hd respect tor. the men OF aGrdiner
WHO are now serving in the army
ana navy of the United States in de-
ichsc {. our country and our fog.
)ni more than 100 years the Stars
"nd stripes have been respected
Eonored and loved by every true and
loyal American. Tonight the Stars
Hnd stripes command the respect of
every civilized nation of the earth.
Never was flag more welcome than
TINS grand old flag of ours when our
boys IN khaki planted it beside the
'iags Of the allied armies on the soil
e france. for they all knew and Ger
riany knew that its coming spelled
victory for the allied armies and for
7Gstice, freedom and liberty.
When the call went cut for men
to serve their country and flag it
was responded 10 by mon from every
city. village and hamlet from the At
lantlc TO the Pacific from
our own fair city already nearly 300
men have responded and more are
soon to follow. and in honor Of these
brave men il is my privilege and
pleasure, in behalf of tn" city. TO
present to its citizens this service
flag. the most fitting compani n ever
made to wave beside the STAYS and
Stripes"
Hon. r. II. Gardiner accepted the
flag Ill behalf of the citizens, pa
rents, friends and relatives If ,lose
who have gone forth to serve their
country. He said that those wh> lave
gone have done so soberly. AMI earn
estly. prepared like the knights If
old to give all that they have. They
! stand in the presence # ',pth and
of God, and will retdri with new
ideals, realities. We sh ju-l AVE. L.
new conception of Democracy for
the men who return viii kHo'v hat
the only freedom worth ha>ine
comes through service. and that The
only effective force is loI2. love that
comes through service to others.
The solo of Miss Tyler. who sang
THE Star Spangled Banner" with
band accompaniment. was excellent
ly rendered. Then followed the ad
dress of the evening by Judge II. f.
Cook. who spoke in part as follows:
"No greater spirit of sacrifice has
ever been known than that which
fills the breatst of America today.
A million rlothers of America have
given their sons to the cause of God
and freedom with a prayer of con-
secration in their hearts.
we dedicate this flag to the hon
or of the brave lads represented by
these stars. But we fail in our duty
if we do not also dedicate ourselves,
our souls and our bodies in the cause
for which these boys have gone
forth Now, as in the days Of our
forefa Tiers, our lives, our fortunes
and our sacred honor must be pledg-
ed. We have endured every extraor-
binary insult from Germany. We
|. could not stand by and see our nag,
which has been baptised in a nun
dred battles from Lexington to Get
tvsburg. floutcd by the German war
lords"
The speaker quoted from President
wilson's speeches as to the aims Of our
nation and probable outcome of the
war.
we seek no material profit from this
war We ask only that the rights ana
principles for which our fathers died
may still be ours. and we offer to give
our last full measure OF devotion that
the benefits of these principles be given
to all the world. Americans may die,
but Americanism must life that the
world at the end be fit to be the foot
stool of God.
we should pray 20 be delivered from
the sin OF greed and selfishness. God
help the puny soul who treads the paths
of profiteering God help the traitor
who. by malicious interference with
production, binders the comfort or eff
cheney of his brother overseas. Help
that mother OF nations. the Red Cross.
Consider the Y. NJ. c. A. the Is. OF c.
and the Jewish War Relief. These are
they that keep your boy manly and
brave and clean. These are they tina:
teach a soldier how TO live and. if need
be. how to die.
Buy Liberty bonds and W. S. S. Last
hut not least. be of good cheer. From
Lexington to Yorktown our forefathers
died TO establish these principles and
from the Marine to Berlin our sons will
die to perpetuate these principles. II is
Gods battle they are fighting: His
cause is In the balance and He will not
forsake His own
The speaker closed with an extract
from Whittier's Song of the Free