Middletown transcript., 1919-02-01
/. Ope1.ing Prayer, Chaplain J. N.

/ 0OA VI
Battalion Choir
3. SaIutatory, Col. J. Warner Reee
Commanding 59th Pioneer Infantry
4. Selected, 59th Pioneer Infantry
Band
.. Chorus, la Marseilles, By the
children of Boucq
6. Caricatute. Pvt. John Vanyo-Co'
II"
7. Clog Dancing, Pvt. Fraiik Scutro-
Co. "M"
8. Battalion Chorus. Selection
9. The Human Comptometer, Pvt.
Albert Gamble-Co. "K"
10. Musical Selections, Waggonel
Workman-Supply Co.
IL. Jordan Specially, Pvt. Edward
Jordan-Co. ''M'
IL. Selections, 59th Pioneer Infantry
| Band
1s. Vocal Selections, F. Lapiano-Co.
s'K"
ID. Bird limitations, Geo. Kennard-
Hqrs. Go.
Is. Solo, Anthony Gervasi-Co. "K''
16. A Real Irish Jig, Pvt. Thomas
Lil)is-Co. "M"
II. Solo Unique, Jacob Rappaport-
Hqrs. Co., Hebrew Selection
49, Selection, 59th Pioneer Infantry
Band
10. Address, Maj. J P. LeFevre
Commanding Sd Bn., 59th Pioneer In
fantry
20. Ensemble, Star Spangled Banner.
Colonel Reed Was warmly cheered.
He said in part:
"There still seems to be number of
| the regiment present. According to
the papers back home the 59th Pioneer
Infantry was completely anrihilated.
"Some of the presents which will
be given have been secured through our
own efforts. Part of the committee
and myself went AWOL to get them.
We went to Metz to get these presents.
We beat the NJ. P.'s by five seconds
before they put ban on entering the
city. We had arrived and when the
ban was put on we were in.
The work that you boys have been
doing has been very, very efficient, and
has been trying. You have made good.
You had the nerve to do what you were
told to do. 1t does not take as much
courage to 60 over the top in the in
spiration of the fight as it does to build
railroad, road or lay pipe under
shell fire with no means of fighting
back. We all have our part to do in the
fight and We did our part Well. We are
all part Of it. The fighting branch of
the army could not fight if they could
not obtain the necessary ammunition
and supplies.
''There are num,;er of men present
who have been soldiers with me for a
good while. This is the third Xmas we
have been away from home. We have
answered Duty's Call. In 1916 we were
in Deming; in 1917 in the Sunny South
where it never gets cold; in 1918 We are
in Sunny France where the sun never
shines. l can promise you that you
will be home by next Christmas. But
| now is the trying time. We are think
ing aho'l' sCi home, and our minds
are ia" ~ " at.hs, but we have great
r1cr. 10. -.m.r,.-, don't forget it -
Major LeF.vre, commander of the
baltalion, was received with cheers.
He spoke as follows:
Il want to wish all you men merry,
merry Christmas. And l thank all you
men of this Battalion for the work that
you have done and the way you did it.
"You did what you were ordered to
do and did it well. No higher praise
can be given to soldier. 1t was hard
to do this work, and as the Colonel has
told you, without the inspiration of
going over the top under the fire of
shot and shell. am proud Of you. the
Colonel is proud of you and the people
back home are proul of us all. Il say
us, because want to be in it too).
"Most of the presents we have here
to-day are due to the people back home
and came from the U. S. A. They came
through the organizations that the
home folks have supported; the Red
Cross, Y. M. C. A., K. of G.. and
Salvation Army. We can feel deeply
thankful for the hearty sympathy and
support that the folks back home have
given us.
1--WE must now be prepared for the
happy time when we 60 home. Go home
clean Do nothing that will be dis:
credit to you, to the regiment or above
all to the folks back home. Go home
clean, so that you march up the streets
back home with your heads up in the air
"There is one man whom wish t
especially mention for the work that hi
has done. 1t is difficult to make specia
men tion of anyone for there is so many
deserving mention, but the one mar
whom wish to speak of has been witt
this Battalion through the most dis
couraging difficulties and has labored
incessantly for US. Boys, three cheer.
for Chaplain Kelly. (cheers).
"Also l wish to say that we love
France. She has always been our all!
and friend. She helped save US il
times past and made it possible for u
to help save her in this war. Thre,
cheers for France. (Cheers).
"And now once again, and above all
three cheers for the U. S. A. and tn