The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1919-06-06
VETERANS HONORED
Memorial Day Observed In
RathdTum.

Friday afternoon, 10 observance of |
Memorial day, were attended by the
usually large audience, which over
taxed the seating capacity Of the
building The program, arranged by
the G. A. II. and w. r. G. was
interesting. Features were European
war Experiences and Impressions, by
Capt. VIM. A Boeke), aud the
address by Prof. W. e. Chandler.
Captain Boekel, who offered his
services when the United States
entered the war, took the officers
training at the Presidio, Calf, was
commissioned lieutenant Of artillery
and went overseas with the 3i7th
regiment of field artillery, gave a
concise narrative Of the progress or
that organization thru the training
at Camp Lewis and In France, where
it was equipped with American guns.
to the time it arrived on the flaming
battle line just as the armstce was
announced and snatched from the
regiment its high hope of Joining in
the proposed drive beyond Sedan and
on Metz. Incidents of the advance
into Germany with the army of
occupation were described by Captain
Boekel, showing the humorous as
we'll as stern side of the soldiers life;
the trading of 60 cakes of soap for %
chickens and some odd ducks and
geese to provide belated regimental
Thanksgiving dinner after many
weeks of very simple fare; difficulties
OF blvoac on sodden ground in cold,
rainy weather; green wood sometimes
the only fuel obtainable for the army
kitchens. He referred briefly to the
effect of the war on France and
Belgium as he saw it, and the deceit
fulness of the Germans and the
methods and local circumstances
which make the Germans skillful
propogandists, as he found them
during his tour of duty in the area OF
occupation. Captain Boekel spoke
Of the destruction Of Verdun aud
added that the complete leveling OF
such city in Europe means more
than that of city of the same size
in America, because there the cities
are built almost entirely OF stone and
represent the work of centuries
The address of Prof. Chandler was
an able discourse upon the relation oi
recent wars, in which America has
been engaged, to the progress of The
world toward liberty and righteous
ness and the evidences of the hand o.
a divine providence in shaping tut
affairs of mankind. He said th'
recent war was not an isolated event
but 1t was an incident, another step
in the worlds progress. 1t was
war of ideals, rather than of nations
a war 10 which the forces represent
ing autocracy, brutality, lust 10
wealth and power and armed con
quest were arrayed against the force
OF free government, justice, mere
and righteousness. Germany, b
said, had put all her trust in be
army and had forgotten God, and b
asked If it were not clearly discerna
BILE that the Almighty. long diyinln
the evil purpose of the kaiser, ha
raised up the strong American natlo
to be ready to save the cause
righteousness 10 the great crls
which came with the war in l9lt
He declared the men who fought o
the side that furthered the cause
righteousness and free government
the Civil war, the Spanish war. an
the recent war, were heroes. Tht
did their duty to God and civilization
and he argued that the men, WI
sacrificed their lives 10 the cause
right 10 such wars really lived al
will live, while the Shirkers Will
forgotten. He cited Joan of Arc,
simple peasant girl, as an example
an inspired leader, who saved Franc
aud who lives in the memory or
mankind, while the name oil U
selfish monarch, who proftted by D