The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1919-06-27
OCALA WELCOMES HER
HOMECOMING SOLDIERS
Bounthl Picnic Supper r--Musc--Speeches of Welcome
and Responses End in Handshaking and
Patriotic Enthusiasm

Ocala is not behind in the welcome
given to her soldier boys on their re-
turn home from military encamp-
ments and overseas to lay down their
military equipment to again take up
the grave esponsibilities of an en-
larged citizenship.
They were quick to respond to the
call to arms but in the language Of
one Of the ancient prophets they are
as ready to beat their swords into
plowshares and their spears into
pruning hooks" and the more so as
the world has been largely, by their
heroism, made safe for democracy.
For this splendid and significant
welcome the thanks of all of us ara
largely due to the Woman's club,
who, following the cherished memory
Of the Father of his Country" are
first in all good works and patriotic
movements.
1t goes without saying that they
know that music, bouquets, poetry
and elcquence are good in their
Dlaces and especially on occasions of
this sort but that soemthing more
substantial to go along with these
adornments is appealing to the aver
age soldier so most bountiful and
superb supper served on the court
house lawn had first place on the pre-
gram
1t is needless to say that no sup
per was better served or more thor
oughly enjoyed. 1t was a feast fit
for epicures as well as hungry men.
The supper ended the crowds
gathered around the band stand to
hear the addresses of welcome and
the responses of those who had
hand in the making of the greatest
war of history.
Mr.. Louis w. Duval presided
with the grace, east and
dignity that has won for
him an honorary life membership
to this distinction. His preliminary
remarks were exceedingly appropri-
ate and were faultless in diction.
After the band rendered a patriotic
air Rev. j. r. Herndon, whose voice
was often heard during the piping
times when the war was on, in ear
nest words invoked the blessing of
heaven upon the patriotic gathering.
Owing to the illness of Mayor
Chace he deputized Hon. w. K. Ze-
wadski to extend the welcome of the
city for him and in doing so he made
a judicious selection, as Mr.. Zewad
ski is a graceful and fluent speaker
and had three boys in the service.
one ''oVer here" and two "over
there
His son, Olaf, enlisted as a private
in January, 1917, and won his spurs
"over there" in the air service and
was commissioned first lieutenant.
His second son, Guy, entered in
September, 1917, and soon afterwards
was sent across, and was successful
in securing a commission.
His third son, Clarence, was in
the field artillery and was at Camp
Taylor when the armistice was sign
ed.
The following is a mere outline of
Mr.. Zewadski's beautiful speech:
He referred to the great world
warts progress, and seeming sue
cess of the Huns-and the entrance
Of our country at such a critical time
and how the United States began its
in every department.
upon a scale of such magnitude. thati
success was inevitable; how the al |
lies were sustained by our supplies
how the morale of the allies was
heightened and strengthened by our /
valor, confidence and high spirits of /
our boys 'over there"-how the At
lantic was bridged with our conveys, |
and battleships, until mil |
lions of our boys were among them,
5000 miles away. and how the Huns
deadly instruments of destruction
the U-boats-were defeated in their
purpose, as was all of the horrible /
instruments of death inaugurated by
the Huns finally overcome, and how
we back home stood by our govern
ment in complying with its every re-
1uest-just a little saving here and
there that the boys would have suf-
ficiency- and they did buying liber-
fy hOndg Oiviro m fha war charities 1