Evening star., 1919-03-04


There probably is no nation in the
world where this phrase has fuller
meaning than in America. 1t prob
ably was never more apparent than
during the demonstrations incident
to the welcoming of American SOL
diers returning from overseas duty
Thousands of these crusaders are
now landing in this country daily
and it would be safe today that there
is not man among them. no matter
how hardened or void of deiicacles
of feeling and sentiment, who does
not show plainly signs of the deepest
emotions at being home once more.
Big rough-looking fighting fellows
time and again have been seen to
swallow Jumps that arose in their
throats as their boat neared the DOCK
and to have actually cried.
Show Their Appreciation
No matter how strange are the
faces of those gathered about the
Jocks waving and cheering the IN
coming transport. the homecoming
soldiers are deeply affected and voice
their appreciation of the reception
and their giadness at being back
again in the most enthusiast1c ana
! eaiistic manner. There is loud and
hearty cheering of the most genuine
kind, INDUCED in by all, soldiers and
receivers alike.
The American military may be
a cold -blooded unsentimental ma
chine1ike organization but 1t mas
shown feeling in the receptions ac-
n frnnnG
is a large band on hand to add to
the greeting accorded each ship re-
turning with soldiers That no ship
shall dock without music the en-
barkation offices at Hoboken and New
York have five of these military
The airs are merry and inspiring
but the most impressive feature IN
with this musical end of
the welcoming program Is the play
ing of Hail, Hail, the Gangs All
Here" Just as the liner is edging up
70 tl1e pier, and Home, Sweet Home"
as she finally docks. The last is play
ed with much feeling, and, following,
as it does, the playing OF the ilNely
and popular airs. it is most impress
sive. The embarkation officers, DOCK
officials, members of the various war
service organizations. newspaper men
and other civilians standing about the
pier appear almost as deeply affected
by this air as these bronzed sighting
men aboard the ship. At the conclu-
sion of this piece the soldiers gener-
ally let out one mighty shout.
Stirring Demonstrations.
Home again. Back in America
again. Heaven once moreF and
similar ordinations are heard among
the cheering and yelling soldiers
Trivial as these little instances may
seem to the reader who has not wit
messed one of these Homecoming dem
onstrations, they mean much to the
American heroes who fought in
are ever gathered about the docks to
extend greetings. These instances
typify clearly that there is nothing
grtater than the emotions of human
feelings when fully and actually
aroused. and no emotions with more
feeling than those associated with
thoughts of home.
All of the returning transports are met
pretty much in the same way. The city
of New York has an official welcoming
committee, which steams down the bay
to meet the boats as they slow up at
quarantine. and which accompany them
during their proud Journeys up the East
river to their piers. At the piers there
are on hand. besides the official band
and the embarkaticn officers, represent
atiyes of the American Red Cross, the
Y. NJ. c. A. Salvation Army, Knights
of Columbus, Jewish Welfare Board and
civilians who have been fortunate to
obtain passes to entitle them to privi-
leges of the dock. The general public,
so to speak, are jammed together be-
yond the fences inclosing the embarka-
ton reservation. In the last named
group are the hundreds of joyous moth
ers and wives and fathers and other
relatives and friends, many of them
who have come long distances to. be on
hand to see the soldiers land.