The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-10-10
WELCOME IS EXTENDED
ST. PETER AND PAUL'S
PARISH RECEPTION
CARRIED OUT PROGRAM
Handsome Banquet Served, Fol-
lowed BY Addresses, Music
And Song


Paups parish welcomed home the SOL
der boys who went forth, took their
parts in the winning of the great vic
tory against autocracy and have now
returned to civilian pursuits. The
entire day was given over to the well
coming home of the men.
: In the morning solemn high mass
was held for the service men at 1:S0
O'Clock and other religious services
in there honor were held during the
day. The banquet and program given
at the Loyola hall in the evening
was one of the largest and most nue.
cessful ever held. Tickets for the
event had been furnished nearly a
thousand people and it was necessary
10 seat the banqueters in the big hall
two successive times.
Beautiful decorations. streamers,
flags and bunting festooned the ban
quet hall. The Stars and Stripes
were in evidence everywhere. Fall
leaves had also been used in the dec
orations. At the front of the stage,
where the guests of honor were seat
ed was hung a large service flag, the
white field in the center being in the
form of a cross. On this were the
five gold stars, for the men from the
parish who paid the supreme sacri-
fee and below these the figures ISL.
signifying the number who served
with the colors.
Married ladies OF the parish pre-
pared a most excellent repast which
was served by the young women of
the church. The ladies serving wore
natty caps of red. white and blue.
Fall flowers were used on the tables
and small American flag was at
each plate Soldiers, their parents
and sweetnearts were seated ut the
first table and those in attendance at
the two succeeding tables.
Excellent music was furnished dur
ing the evening by the special Loyola
orchestra. The orchestra was com
posed of seven pieces, including the
well known musicians, George Scher-
er, Ben. Klugherz, John Osboda, B.
J. McCleery, Raymond Krause and
Mamie Skuse Gerlach.
Appreciation of Soldiers.
1--WE are assembled here 10 pay
honor to those men who served us
so well in the great war just past"
declared Toastmaster John Hohmann,
opening the program of the evening,
1T is the first time in the history of
this parish that we ever met thus TO
express our appreciation for the serv
ives of our men in war. hope that
we may never have TO meet thus
again"
Mr.. Holman. declared it was de-
sired to make this a public apprecia-
- u. >-~<r<rx
supreme SdrTrrrc TUr their country
and their God, in the struggle just
ended. Much amusement was mani
tested when the speaker referred to
the coming campaign of the men with
the the fairer sex, of their certainty
of defeat and being forced to cry
"Kamerad," to fee to Father Theis
for signing of the peace terms"
Address of Welcome.
Rev. ]. B. Theis, pastor of st. Peter
and Paul's parish, delivered the ad-
dress of welcome to the men. Rev.
Theis made humorous references to
the fact that all the boys came home
without their companions for life.
Had they not done so, he said, there
would have been sad and mournful
hearts here.
From my whole heart / say well
come to you in our midst" he declar-
ed. 81 extend the warm hand and
heart of the parish in welcome. This
welcome this evening by the members
of the parish is a public expression
of their appreciation for your efforts
and services.
cit is an appreciation for your
sacrifices for that banner, than which
there is no more glorious on the face
of the earth. Our purpose is to honor
you but there is only One who can
renumerate you with the greatest OF
rewards. We are proud to have in
our midst you who returned with that
banner decked with immortal glory
and victory. In that flag are reflected
all the great achievements and deeds
of humanity"
Rev. Theis paid touching tribute
to the five noble men who paid the
supreme sacrifice in the struggle. He
said the men would be remembered
and cherished for all time, that they
were even then lookina down and
taking part. in the festivities in their
honor.
In closing he babe the men take
away from the celebration OF the
evening the sentiments OF true JOY
and gratitude.
DIR. c. N. Weyer favored the audi
ence here with vocal slection, 1.-The
Return" and as an encore sang, It'll
We Meet Again." the audience join
ing in the chorus. The audience also
sang Good Morning Mr.. Zip, Zip.
Zip" with much spirit and zest.
Address BY Mr.. Schaller.
Honorable Albert ,Schaller OF Hast
ings, associate justice of the state su-
preme court, was introduced as the
principal speaker of the evening. Mr..
Schaller, in opening his remarks, also
made several humorous sallies re-
garding the young ladies and the re-
turning service men.
ITO go back over the last few years,
to go back over what is now history"
he said, land to see what these men
have done and accomplished during
their absence is to step back
to- the time when two prin-
ciples stood face TO face across
the trenches of the world. The
principles of the Declaration of Inde-
pendelce on one hand, of the belief
that all men are created free and
equal and the principle on the other
hand of divine right, of the belief that
L ...,I1 4.