Putnam patriot., 1919-06-06
MEMORIAL DAY
In 1919
Putnam Has Annual Observ-
arce As Usual.

tie Of forming large parade such as
has been seen in years not so very
long ago, all honor, respect, and rev
erence. was paid the soldier dead in
the cemeteries Of Putnam last Friday,
| Memorial Day, 1919 If one keeps a
diary and a decade from now looks
back, one viii find recorded one Of the
most beautiful Of May days magma
| bic. with a soft breeze blowing 70 re-
duce the temperature to just the prop
! er degree for comfort out Of doors.
| There were no bands, no mounted
guards, no military organizations and
no marching veterans. These are
! now things Of memory But the
/ Boys" were there; Old Glory was
there; and the memories Of the days
when the fate of the Union hung in
/ the balance we're also there Above
all was The memory Of those who have
gone on; whose trials, hardships and
/ suffering some on far off battle
fields; some who lived to return to
/ homes and dear ones. but have since
| Joined their comrades who failed to
return, are now over Wherever the
spot dead soldier lay sleeping the
last long sleep there at the grave was
repeated the annual memorial exer-
| else that has been witnessed ever
since the stars and bars were dipped
TO the stars and stripes, and they, die
stars and bars, we're lowered forever,
significant that Lee surrendered at
Appomatox and that the Boys in Blue
could 90 home with their great pur-
pose accomplished union pre-
served and slavery forever banished
from the land
Yes, the boys" went home-those
who were spared-but many were left
! behind and it was said of them as rs
said of men in all wars-"They gave
| their lives for their country" and it
is to honor them and to cherish their
memory and the memory of their
brave. deeds that Memorial Day be
|
participated in by every citizen
throughout the land where Union
soldier lies
The observance in Putnam was
fitting to the times The little pro
eession formed in Union Square
Lieutenant Edward f. Perry was the
l ", fttf
nished the music that is most famil-
lar to the old soldiers ear-the fife
and drum Albert Gagne acted as
drum major, and little Archelle
Bourque, dressed in uniform, had a
prominent place with the corps. The
Boy Scouts looked well in their uni
| comparative newness and the brand
uewness of their uniforms, the Put
nam High School Cadets attracted
| much of the attention. They wore
the regulation white middle suits with
Ieggings. Numbering nearly 50, they
made a fine showing The Sons of
Veterans were next in line and then
followed automobiles conveying the
veterans whose day it was.
There were but handful of the
grey-haired comrades, but their spirit
was evidenced They are waiting the
day not far distant when the last roll
will be called They are not afraid
they fear nothing on this earth nor
are they afraid of what the future
may hold in store. Lives well spent
and duties well performed is assur-
anee that a merciful God will take
them home at the proper time. The
thoughts of this little band are be
yond the comprehension of US of the
younger generation who may look ny
to them in reverence and respect as
we enjoy the heritage that their sac
rifees made possible.
The last in line were the ladies'
wives, sisters. children and grand
! children, all were there. Women whC
J bid their young soldier boys goodbye
with a brave heart and welcomed
them home with smile; side by side
during his declining years and both
grown old together. in years, but
hearts as young as ever, each witt
pride in the other. What life haC
brought them no one but themselves
might know, but there they We're OF
this bright Memorial Day, and per
haps tear would fall as thoughts o.
some dear one over in the eemeter,
whose grave would be strewn will
flowers. not one of the "Boys Of '61,'
but possibly boy who had never don
ned uniform; possibly boy wh'
had gone out, as did his father, in |
later war, but who, unlike his father
was called upon to give the supreme
sacrifice. Emotions are varied ant
solemn on Memorial Day. One nigh
allow the imagination run on for th'
hour with the little human interes
possibilities.
| - a.