New Britain herald., 1919-05-21
PLANS ANNOUNCED
 FOR MEMORIAL DAY
Commander Wood Issues Orders
 and Committees Are Named

III tne o1 u0if iooueo IS one for the
 attendance or all members of the post
 at divine sefVlces Tn the Center church
 on Sunday evening, when, under the
 direction or ReV. Henry w. Maier,
 pastor, patriotic service will he he1d
 The message of Commander Wood
 follows:
 Headquarters Stanley Post, No. Ii,
 Department of Connecticut,
 Grand Army of the Republic.
 New Britain, Conn, May 20, 1919.
 Comrades of the Grand Army,
 Auxiliaries Patriotic Oraniza-
 tions and Friends:
 Following the years of the Civil
 War, the men of the Grand Army
 began to observe one day each year
 in which to pay special tribute to their comrades who had fallen in the great
 struggle to preserve this nation a
 united people. This custom was ap- 1 proved by an act of congress and i May 3O was set apart as Memorial 1 Day.
 { The great cem eteries of Gettysburg , and Arlington remind us what it cost ! Ill human life to gain this victory, l But scattered throughout the length 1 and breadth of this fair land, in every 1 city, village and hamlet are the graves ] of a host of men who served during the war and came home to continue l the service wherever their co,,n+tv needed them.
 One by one the members If +ba Grand Army are being mustered out. In accordance With the custom of years and in unison with all c 1 posts of the country, as commander
 
 observe Friday, May 30, 1919. as Memorial Day to those who served ' during the Civil War Let us thank the Lord with hunob1o l hearts for the great sacrifice thev made; for the mighty victory won. and for the prosperity which has been l ours because of their service I l request that flags on our public buildings and in our parks be at half- mast until noon and then at full mast on Memorial Day. ' A generation ago the children of the public schools helped to gather flowers for use in decorating the graves; their children now carry on this labor of love. This service, so freely given, is greatly appreciated. as the age and rapidly decreasing ranks of the Grand Army make this part of the memorial increasingly difficult.
 All contributions of flowers will be gladly received at the basement door l of the Swedish Bethany church, cor ner of Main and Walnut streets, at 1 8 a. m.
 In past years, Stanley Post has greatly appreciated the use of auto mobiles which generous and patriotic citizens have so freely given that com rades-many of them unable to march-may share in the public 1 exercises.
 This is great day to the men who marched so vigorously nearly 60 years ago. The committee will be grateful to any friends who will offer the use of their machines. The following committees have been appointed:
 Flowers-Abraham Howell, chair man.
 Decorating Graves-Fairview cen- etery, w. F. Sternberg, L. D. Penfeld, Henry Burckhardt, Gilbert Bentley, James Andrews, George E. Root and Charles May; Catholic cemetery, William E. Stewart, Michael McMa- hon, Louis F. Dunn and John Hayes; NeWington cem etery, William F. La tham.
 Autom obiles-W. F. sternberg. L. D. Penfield F. s. Chamberlain. or at National bank
 On Sunday evening, May 25, at 7:30 o'clock, the First Church of Christ. corner of Main and Church streets. Rev. Henry W. Maier, pastor, will open their doors for a patriotic serv- ice. cordial invitation is extended by them to the Grand Army of the Republic, the Sons of Veterans. the Spanish War veterans, the World War Veterans, the Woman's Relief Corps. the Auxiliary to the Sons of Veterans. the auxiliary to the Spanish War Vet erans and the Daughters of the Amer ican Revolution.
 A year ago we were in the throes of the great world war Our young men-many of them sons or grand sons of Civil War veterans-responded nobly to the call to take LID arms against the mighty foe of the world. and by their bravery and zeal he1ned to conquer the powerful enemy.
 The members of the Grand Army of the Republic thank and honor them for their faithful work and deeds of heroism.
 We hope and trust that 8 lastino peace may be the reward of thetr i great service.
 To them we extend our most cor dial congratulations that thev have earned our cherished title oe 1 Veteran"
 s. H. WOOD, Commander
 TJTV TTEEKC