The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-09-11

New York, Sept. l0.-Durlng tne en-
tire length of the great parade through
the city, the applause from the dense
masses of spectators was continuous,
hearty and manifestly genuine.
This parade was probably the last
great military spectacle growing out
of the war that will be seen in this
country.
Devoted to honoring General John j.
Pershing, Commander in Chief of the
American Expeditionary Forces and to
paying tribute to the final array OF
veteran fighting men to parade down
Fifth avenue Ii was fitting chapter.
Fer the city proved that, though it is
ten months since Armstice Day, 1t has
not forgotten either the hosts who
fought in France or the man who led
them to victory.
1t was the towns first opportunity tc
greet the men of the lst Division and
to let them know it remembered their
glorious part in the American Armys
smashing drives at Toul, at Cantigny
at Scissors, at St Mihiel and at the
Meuse and Argonne Likewise, IL
was the first appearance here OF
"Pershing's own" that regiment CT
stalwart veterans picked from the first
six regular army divisions in France
which paraded as Pershing's escort in
Paris and London, as 1t did here
Altogether, more than 25,OO0 lighting
men were in line.
The whole route was gay and color
full with flags and bunting. Most color
full. most picturesque of all was the
way Pershing, the members OF his
staff. officers and men of lesser rank,
all the long line of marchers, were
Melted with flowers At times Pershing
rode over stretches of asphalt carpeted
with laurel. At Others roses and sim
pier flowers rained about him Again
some enthusiast, high above, would
toss a single blossom, perhaps to fall
almost at his feet, perhaps to drop lar
behind him.
Even where the crowds were least
dense. Pershing was kept at almost
continual salute by the tributes Volley-
ed at him from both sides CT the aue-
me. Once lie had reached the stanus
and again when he was below F1fth
and again when he was below FIFTY
ninth street, from which points the
crowds increased, it was Impossible
for him to acknowledge all OF the ap.
plause.
Perhaps the most solemn incident OF
the parade was the passage OF us
leading figure and the little cavalcade
behind him through the Victory Arch'
at Twenty-third street, at salute IN
memory of the dead. The General S
colors were dipped, and the band which
followed not far behind passed through
with muffled drums.
Though Pershing received the non 5
share of the days honors, neither MS
escort regiment nor the First DIVISION
was overlooked. Not only did those
who saw them parade take them
straight into their hearts, ana Try
throughout the long hours the tolled
down the avenue with full equipment
to show them how genuinely they hall,
ed them as first class fighting men,
but all the welfare agencies wed win
one another in trying to make thelr
stay in the city as comfortable ana
happy as possible
The marching of the men was spieh-
did. Their equipment was in periect
order. Their welcome, If cne might
Judge by their pleased faces when at
ease during the ten minute haits III
each hour, was all and more than they
expected,
The parade was the first IN history
in which a full division has marched
with full combat equipment Inc
crowds displayed particularly keen IN
terest in the heavy artillery drawn by