The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-11-14
Former Soldiers Are Given
Welcome At Vernon
FEASTING AND ADDRESS
Singing and Music Under the
Direction of Mrs. n. A.
Patterson

Vernon Center's home coming and
welcome to the boys in Khaki was
genuine and surely left no doubt in
the minds of the former soldiers that
while the home fires had been burn
ing brightly during their absence,
their luster was dimmed by the radi-
ance of the joyousness in the hearts
OF the whole community, who had
spared neither time or money to
make this day one to be remembered
through the long vista of years be-
fore them.
The town was beautifully decorat-
cd with myriads of flags All bust
ness places and nearly all the resi-
dences displayed Old Glory. and the
national colors. The parade was
very imposing and an the way 10
the hall where the program was
given received cheers from the on
lockers. Starting from the school
mouse, led by the Sandon band. Red
Cross nurse. soldiers. G. j. R., Boy
and Girl Scouts and school children,
arriving ar the hall the boys in
Khaki took their seats upon the
stage. Back of the orchestra they
presented a fine appearance and we
all wonder if there ever were such
gallant, manly boys as our own Yer
non Center boys.
Mrs. II. A. Patterson led in the
opening Song. America The Gopher
quartet OF Mankato. composed of
first tenor, Joseph Kendall: second
tenor, Richard Wood: first bass,
Glen Shoemaker; second bass, Guy
Butts. captivated the audience with
their singing NY America. They
were recalled and sang The Flag
without a Stain. Mayor Kraus' ad-
dress OF welcome came straight from
his heart and voiced the sentiment
OF the whole community.
Address Of Mayor kraus. JE.s
To the Veterans of the World
War: I'VE are gathered here today
to express in some small measure our
appreciation of all that you have
done for us in protecting the honor
OF Old Glory in the World War just
ended. tse EoI aai sogBf4t IL
We owe you debt OF g.,a..Y .ifle
for all the sacrifices you have mad
II is impossible for our country to
repay you for what you have done,
but history VIII reward you, for your
deeds will be remembered FIR all
ages to come iI wGGsHE- OIL
at is son,e two years or more
since we gathered in this same hall.
but on fa- different occasion With
tears in cur eyes and aching hearts
we babe you God-speed.. and hoped
tor your safe return, During your
absence we followed your movements
In the camps where you were sta
toned, TO the harbors where you
sailed. and to your safe arrival across
the sea.
I'VE went with you through Bel
leau Wood and .Argonne- Forrest,
whore many of you displayed that
true american bravery and heroism,
over the top into No Mans Land.
Thank GOO that today we have you
safely back with us again.
For with the exception of Doctor
Clement who is camp physician at
Denver, and Standish Bowen who is
already in the states on his way
home, all have returned. We are
overcome with Joy for barring a few
minor wounds you have all returned
in good health.
Il am sure II T. app pirate at this
time TO say \ f,w wo Dis REGARDING |
what has b n gQing on at home,
while you Over Tha-e" max |
ing the v-orlf rnfc for the De~ocracy
our fo-ofathe ught so va,iantly |
for years Ego I'm glad TO say the |
loyal pSoplo If this community re- |
sponded noN'y TO all the demands |
made by our vernment.
Joined The Red Cross.
I'VE were asked to join the Red |
Cross, and we answered 500 strong.
Southern Minnesota to have Red |
Cross auction. The proceeds, $500,
were used by our Red Cross work |
crs in making garments for you
boys in service. When these funds
became low our loyal Ceresco citi-
zens assisted with another splendid |
sale, this time netting nearly $4,000. |
We had set tho pace for many
other localities, and Red Cross !
auctions became very popular as
means of filling depleted treasures. !
1.-The people of this community
contrib uted TO every War organiza /
ton that tended to tighten your bur-
dens. In buying Liberty Bonds we
always went over the top, you boys
had gotten US in the habit. We were
asked to buy Thrift Stamps, and l
am glad to say that with few excep
tions there was not man. woman or
child who did not respond.
The committees who had this |
work in charge worked with untir-
ing zeal that you who were protect
ing our homes, from cruel. relent
less foe might have all the comforts
in our power to furnish you. Then
too when the government put us on
war rations the loyal citizens of
this community accepted them un-
complainingly, and when government
orders were ignored there was no
trouble in getting patriotic people
to enforce them.
"Just year ago today news
reached US OF the great victory you
had helped to win. In spite of the
inclement weather, in less then an
hour practically the entire communi-