Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-07-11
Ovation Is Given Returned Service
Efen.

Montgomery county paid a handsome
tribute to its returned soldiers, sailors and
marines here last Friday, when 5000 or
more persons from every section Of the
county participated in big homecoming
celebration.
When the various contingents of county
boys were sent away to participate in the
world war they were promised that their
sacrifice would not be forgotten, and that
upon their return the people of the county
would show their appreciation by giving
them royal welcome. That promise, so far
as the white boys were concerned, was kept
Friday in splendid style. Saturday SINH
lar celebration was held here in honor of
the returned colored soldiers and sailors
of the county.
The celebration began at II O'Clock Fri
day morning with a parade of the soldiers
and sailors around the racetrack at the
Fair Grounds. Only men in uniform, about
800 in number, participated. Headed by
the Washington Grove Cornet Band and
led by Major E. Brook Lee, recently returned
from France, the men marched part of the
way around the track and returned amid
the applause of the crowd that looked on.
Following the parade, Judge Edward C.
Peter delivered short address and was
followed by former Senator Blair Lee and
United States Senator Key Pitman, of
Nevada. Eloquent tributes were paid to
the Maryland boys and others who wore
their country's uniform and to the heroism
and patriotism displayed by the mothers
and others who stayed behind but did
their part.
And the boys who lost their lives in the
service, either from wounds or disease,
were not forgotten. Promptly at noon
Judge Peter, who was presiding, referred
in touching terms to those who paid the
supreme sacrifice. and at his suggestion
every person in the big crowd as a mark
of respect for and in memory of those who
gave up their lives, stood at attention for
one minute, the impressive scene being
brought to a close by the sounding of taps
by bugler.
Immediately upon the conclusion of the
addresses the boys were taken in hand by
those having charge Of the refreshment
end of the celebration and their wants
were provided for. Everything good to
eat and drink was in abundance and full
justice was done to it. Doughnuts were
served by young ladies attired as Saliva
ton Army lassies, and ice-cream, punch,
lemonade and roasted OK were served
by an army of young women attired in
Red Cross and other appropriate costumes.
Several bands of music added much to
the occasion, patriotic and other airs being
played at frequent intervals, and dancing
was enjoyed by many throughout the after
noon and evening Two of the bands that
furnished the music were from Kings Val
ley and Washington Grove, this county,
and the third was Petro's, of Washing
ton city.
Two base ball games we're features of
the afternoon. In the first contest the
Silver Spring and Kensineton teams were
pitted against each other, and in the sec
ond game the contestants were the Rock
vile and Poolesvile Mines A mule race
which required three heats to decide, af-
forded much amusement.
The celebration cost about $4,000. All
of this was raised by public subscription
the collection being in charge of a COM
mittee Of which William F. Prettyman, Of
Rockville, was chairman. Former Senator
Blair Lee was chairman of the genera
county committee and DR.. George L. Ed.
monds was chairman of the county execu.
tive committee. Others who took promi.
nent part in making the affair success
were: Judge Edward C. Peter, Francis C
Hutton. Allan Farquhar. the Rev. Charles
o. Rosensteel. Wilson Ward, Samuel Riggs
Preston B. Ray, Mrs. George H. Lamar, Mrs
Robert W. Allnutt, Harry S. Beall and
Montgomery Brown.