Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-31
MEMORIAL DAY
SERVICES HELD
IN GARDINER


For the first time in very many
years Memorial Day in Gardiner was
just what il was designed to be. or
iginally. There We're no athletic
games or diversions Of any kind. At
many Of the churches in the morning
services we're held and at some in
the evening. special services in OBJ
servance of the day.
The waatherman was rather more
than half kind. for although the sun
was Obsculed and it was almost
chilly enough to wear an oyercoat, it
did not rain.
Following a long established Gus
tom, Heath Post and the allied Or
CARNATIONS observed the day with
an grafton. a parade and decorating
the graves of deceased comrades.
Members Of the Post and of Pell
Clason camp. Sons of Veterans. met
at G. a r. hall at o'clock and pro
ceeded in detaChments to the High
land avenue. Libby Hill. South and
West Gardiner and Farmingdalc Gem
ctcries where the graves of deceased
veterans were decorated. AT 9 A.
NJ. preceded by Hazards Band they
marched to Randolph, when like
honor was paid to the memory of
the deceased comrades there. Fol
lowing this lunch was served by the
ladies of the Relief Corps at the hall.
At one o'clock came the Grafton
which was delivered by Rev H. s.
Of iyl,l a,, n
Methodist church. There was a
large attendance. larger than for
several years past. Commander l..
II. Merrill called the assembly to
order and introduce Mayor Bragdon
as presiding officer. Hazards Band
gave several selections during the eX-
ercises. Rev. j. i. Irving offered
prayer, and Lincoln's Gettysburg ad-
dress was read by Post Adj. George
+. JOY.
Mr.. Dow opened with an appreci-
alton of the fact that the privileges
that we now enjoy were made pos
sible through the hcroism of the
Boys of 'tl', and that the wealth,
strength and efficiency that this ma
ton now possess are all due to the
men who marched away to take up
the tremendous burdens of warfare
and project and maintain nationl
un,lT. He believes tht this nation is
called to lie harbinGer of peace to
some dar make the world safe for
Democracy" He believes that we
are to become the greatest country
il the universe for the simple reason
that we stand upon the principles of
righteousness. on 1861 there was
stain upon us and there was moth
Ing to do but pay the price. This
was done and if there is any cause
today for THANKSGIVING it is because
Of fact that the blood of the men of
IS pulsed in your veins.
He said This is busy age in
which We live and of all people in
the world we are the busiest. ! be
lieve that if we could know and an
derstand what has really been accom-
plished in the past = months by the
eovernm@l. we would be simply as
founded. These are days when we
realize that we must be prepared and
be prepared to sacrifice. Generations
will come and so and all will be told
what you have accomplished in the
march Of events. You builded bet
ter than yCu knew when you fought
fifty odd Years ago. and the lesson
is being repeated by our boys to-
day"
The reverend gentleman then called
attention Ia the fact that the North
and the South are today fighting as
one and that they are fighting and
thinking. for they are a people who
90 not alolw autocracy TO think for
them. Misguided science (referring
to that used by the Germansl is an
awful thing. But Almighty Cor
never sllmbers nor weakens and
holds in his hand the destiny of the
world. In our thinking let US think
our way through the sciences and up
to the great science. Germany has
developed her sciences but forgotten
the great science. Let us get away
from sordid things and grip the sense
of Almighty Gods care"
In closing he, at the risk of being
called an alarmist asked Why is
j
strides and what is she preparing
for? She is a mighty nation and
proud nation. Think back bit OF
how we have been treating her. once
we have been caught unaWares. but
we must rot be so caught again.
Japan has the right 10 make herself
the greatest nation III the world II
she can rat we have not the right to
so weaken ourselves so that she can
be-"
Immediately following the Grafton
the proc ession formed with George
Cross as Marshall and Elmer Wing
and H. b. Merrill as aids and pro
ceeded over the line of March to
Oak Grove cemetery where the graves
were decorated with wreaths and
flowers At the conclusion the line
of march was resumed to the common
where the customary exercises were
held and the soldiers monument
decorated The parade then returned
to the hail where it was dismissed.
LOCAL NOTICE
Danch Trenches Corner Saturday