Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-30
A Homecoming ON Memorial Day

IN this Memorial Day Richmond will well
~ come to its bosom more of its fighting
sons whom Providence has returned safely to
their homes, the while it pays its annual
tribute Of love and tears TO those other
heroes, both the Blue and the Gray, who
shared in that other no less memorable con-
fct more than half a century ago. The
kh6ki-clad lads who will march upon these
streets today are worthy successors to those
mmortals OF the sixties out OF whose frat
ricidal strife grew this Union, one and In
separable. which in its might saved the world
from Teutonsm and slavery And in todays
abundance OF enthusiasm for the living sons
who serve the colors there will not be for
getfulness of their valiant forbears who set
them the noble example OF patriotism and
sacrifice. or OF those OF their comrades in
arms who sleep in a foreign yet friendly soil.
There are coming home today two Of Rich
monds most ancient and honorable military
organizations, and still a third which is not
ancient but lacks nothing in honor-the
HowitZers. the Blues and men of the Eigh-
tieth Division One of these is almost as Old
as the nation itself, another dates back to the
days before the Civil War, and on their ban
nerS are inscribed the famous names Of many
American wars. Their histories are rich in
martial epic. their members heritors OF
glorious military prestige which they them
selves have enriched abundanty by their
sonnet selected by the government in its time
OF emergency, but in wars ordeal it proved
itself equal in valor TO the boosted arms of
Europe and superior to those OF the enemy
who had laughed at Americas lightning
trained army AS these soldiers of the
Three Hundred and Eighteenth Infantry,
Eightieth Division. pass in parade, Richmond
VIII realize more wildly than before a mar
Velous transformation. From stores, Offices
and workshops, they went forth, youths I'M
trained IN military arts They come back
nnlshed soldiers, youths no longer, but splen-
dld, outstanding and mature, with the clear
vision OF men who have supped with death
and are unafraid, ready to take their parts
IN peace as they did in war. And those ever
living names on their banners-Picardy St
Mlhiel, e-Argonne--wl bear eloquent
testimony that where wars fires ragged most
hercely there was the Eightieth found
When the One Hundred and Eleventh Field
Artillery passes Richmond will welcome the
Howitzers, whom General Pershing himself
was delighted to honor, and the briliance Of
whose sixty years of service remains un-
dlmmed. Fresh from the Mexican border,
lhey entered the European struggle and in
many hardfought engagement garnered
fresh laurels of victory. Equally honored
VIII be the One Hundred and Fourth Am
munlton Train. of which the Richmond Blues
are part. Through the exigencies of war
organization, the old Light Infantry Blues,
converted into cavalry for the Mexican crisis.
have been scattered, many former members
serving in various units, the majority OF
them in the ammunition train, but their tradi-
uons are untarnished, and in Europe they
have fought nobly and we'll.
To-Day s enthusiasm will be a repetition of
that or last Saturday, and in light of that
day, IL is needless to tell Richmond that i,
should give free rein TO its exuberant iov.
Free rein will be given, and these soldiers
OF the Howitzers, the Blues and the Eigh
tieth viii know grateful city is glad 10 have
them back again.