Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1919-02-06
occuM VERSAILLES WELCOME
TO RETURNED SOLDIERS

Occum hall was the scene Oh tAtOne
day evening of the most entnuslastlc
patriotic gathering ever assembled
there when thirty soldier boys; OF the
5th Regiment and other boys who have
been in the service were extended
roval welcome home reception by the
people of both villages, Cccum and
Versailles
Following a street parade. the boys
and their parents assembled at Occum
hall An outdoor concert was PROVO
ed by the village drum corps and band
during which red fire was burning AT
seven o'clock the boys and their par
| ents numbering seventy partook or
bountifu1 banquet, served by the Wan
regan house of Norwich. The tables
were prettily decorated With the ma
tional colors and potted plants. For
each cover there was souvenir silk /
American flag. An orchestra furnish |
| ed music ~ |
After the banquet che han was |
thrown open to the public and an in |
| formal reception was held, everyone
being delighted to have an occasion to |
meet the boys and hear of their ex- |
! citing accounts of army life.
At $50 a patriotic programme was
| given, consisting of chorus singing, |
addresses, and Rotations. The siege
was particularly attractive. In the
| rear on a center background of white
the words Welcome Home Boys, y in
red letters was very effective. On
either side two large American flags
| were draped with the names of both
villages above them. In the center of
{ the stage a snow white bell Of peace
was suspended Potted plants were
taStefuIly arranged at the foot Of the
stage. Throughout tbs tail. numer-
Gus steamers Of white bunting were
gracefully suspended and fastened with
clusters of American flags. The snow
white gauze provided for decorations
and costumes was generously donated
by the Versailles Fibre Mills. The
artistic decorations, which called forth
such favorable comment, were in
charge Of Frank G. Aames. superin-
tendent of the Versailles Mills.
The chorus setting was very charm
ing. Mounted in the rear Miss Rose
} Blain. in a robe Of red and gold. with
while Herman Mossey. and Dorilla
Mossey appeared as Uncle Sam and
Columbia. Underneath the bell of
peace, Miss Alicia Tebo, rcbed in pure
white and bearing alott the dove of
peace, was attended by Miss Theresa
Coffey as Justice. with the enblema-
tic scales. and MISS Alice Ex1ey as
Liberty. with a liberty bell. To one
side, John Alien, Jr, representing Our
Navy, was attended by Red Cross
maid, Miss Clara Allen. while oppo-
site, George Dugas. represented Our
Army, with. Miss Annie Browne in
Red Cross costume. The remaining
members wore white. with red white
and blue girdles and caps There
were thirty members in the chorus.
Both tn: chorus and 500 work re
, Elected excellent preparation and
training. Each number was well ap-
plauded. The finale, The Whole Town
is Waiting For You. an action chorus,
was a decided hit. During this num-
Der, red tableau lights were turned.
Impressive and spirited Datriotic ad-
dresses were ably delivered by Rev.
! F. r. Dies Sureault pastor Of St. Jo-
scph's churca Of Ocean and Rev,
: Charles Smith. pastor OF the Yer
/ sai.es Metho list Episcopal church
The soldier boys were called upon to
make remarks about their experiences
! and in response George Generous gave
a most interesting and entertaining
, account from th,2 departure of the
: company fror1 Fort Wright to his
= home coming. Leo LePaga also re-
:. sponded relating humorous incidents
s on the side life of tho boys over
= there, which called forth much laugh
r ter. Raymond .O'Retty OF the 26tl1
= Company Of Engineers. who was gsss-
- ed and wounded several times gave a
thrilling account of ideal war life in
! The first line trenches M to the day
2 before the arn1istice was signed when
S he was again wounded. The three
d boys held the close attention and in
terest Of all present.
r Following the programme. dancing
t was enjoyed.
e. The successful affair was due 10 the
Y painstaki0g efforts OF the committee
\ which follows: Attorney virtume
secretary ANA treasurer: frank G.
G Anes Arthur Des Surelut. Peter
8 Kelley, !Toses Lafreniere and Zen
$ Te5o. The programme follows:
Medley Of airs, Star SNaueIed Ban
7 nor, America. Welcome Home Wilson
f Over the TOP Set Aside Your Tears
4 For Laughter, recitation. Welcome "a
Y Our Heroes. Miss Helen Gfabuski;
"olo. On the Road to Home Sweet
@ Home. Misses GLADYS ami Ethel Miller.
g sole Mother Here's Your Roy! Miss
4 Mae Garter: solo. There's 4 Rose That
j Grows On No Mans Land, Miss
: GLADYS Miller; solo Calling Me Home
q % Iou. Miss Marian Alien cello OBJ
= li~ato Miss Lily Allen: 5oir, TIL we
Meet Again. Mrs. Welcome Babbitt
- duet If I Am Not at the Roll CaII
- Herman and Dovil1a Mossey; solo
When You Come Back, Miss Rose
q Elain; finale The Erhola Town Is
q Waiting For You.
= The chorus and musical. numbers
were caDably directed by Mrs virturne
q Quinn.