The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-03-19
HOMECOMING FOR
BISMARCK YANKS
Is GREAT EVENT
Almost 200 Soldiers and Their
Guests Enjoy Banquet
and Dance
SPLENDID SPIRIT SHOWN
Boys Mix and Fraternize and
Have Good Time in Typic-
ally Yank Way

ally Yank Way
Almost 200 soldiers, sailors and ma
rines boys who went from Bismarck
and Burleigh county and vicinity to
the support of Old Glory when the
call came for men, with their wives
and sweethearts and sisters and an
occasional daughter enjoyed one
wonderful night at the Masonic tenn
pie last evening, when they were
guests of the capital city at the first
Of a series of Homecoming events.
The streets, were lined with rela-
tives and friends and admirers Of the
fighting men when they marched in
snappy European style from the Audi
torium to the ArlnOry at $3.50. 1t WAS
Bismarck's first opportunity to greet
her soldiers en- masSe, and she made
the most of 1t. 49,.
At the Masonic temple provision
had been made for serving the Yanks
and their guests in two relays. While
the first contingent ate and sang and
listened to short five-minute talks,
the second table delegation danced
and otherwise amused themselves in
the big lodge room or the club rooms
on the ground floor. There were two
orchestras, Hurleys playing In the
banquet hall and O'Connor's for the
dancing. Time was not allowed to
drag. There was, for a time, short
age of partners for the Yanks. but
this condition was soon remedied. In
Productions were dispensed with Il
uniform was sufficient certificate of
character and social standing. Every
body danced.
They were q splendid, clean-look-
ing, manly bunch of young fellows.
Hardly more than boys, most Of them
they appeared ages older than their
youthful partners. The Red Cross
canteen girls in their charming uni
forms, the Ladies' Auxiliary to Co.'S
A and l, proud mothers of Bismarck's
lighting men; veterans of 81, and
their wives, with dim memories of
similar scenes, when the boys came
back more than half century ago,
assisted the reception committee in
seeing that everyone had good time
and was made to feel that he fitted
In. The guests included two native
American soldiers, with their wives,
e Sioux volunteers from Standing Rock,
and the spectators included at least
one proud father and mother from the
reservation, who watched the dancing
and the feasting and saw their boy
sitting among those most honored,
and thoroughly enjoyed it. 1t was a
touch which gave the evening a tlt-
ting climax. -..i.! ...-.s..
Sentiment Of the Evening. -.
The sentiment or spirit Of the even
ing could not be better expressed
than In the little verse, ITO Our
Boys" composed for the occasion by
Mrs. N. O. Ramstad. and printed on
the front cover OF the beautiful SOU
venir menu cards:
Think how lonely one can be
In Just a single day,
Then count the weeks and months
That you have been away.
BY counting SO you will know ..
The happiness and joys
That prompt our hearts in giving
This welcome to Our Boys
The Banquet.
The feast was served on long tables
stretching the length of the big Ma
sonic reception and dining room. AT
the head of the table were seated +.
l.. Conklin, chairman of the dinner
committees: Governor and Mrs. Lynn
J. Frazier. General G.. Angus Fraser.
Rev. and Mrs. Buzzelle. Vicar General
NJ J. Hiltner of the diocese OF Bis
marck, and Grand Army veterans and
their wives. g5 ,...gr
Chairman Conklin made a neat lit
tle Introductory speech; the Very
Rev, Father Hiltner said grace. and
Rev. Buzzelle delivered q greeting. as
follows:
ladies and Gentlemen: I have
been honored many times by the citl.
zens of Bismarck. and the history 81
the kindnesses showered upon me In
village and country will ever remain
precious possession But today
have been honored far beyond merit
Of mine. in being chosen to represent
the citizenry of this county at the
homecoming of you boys. and to try
and express In words the thoughts
that surge in their souls. So greatly
do I esteem this honor, that 1t has
made me throw discretion to the
winds and attempt that which is ia,
beyond my power. This occasion calls
for the best efforts Of one who sees
clearly and feels deeply, and can ex
press strongly and truly the profound
est thoughts OF the people But while
may not reach great heights of ora
tory in telling you men the feelings OF
the heart, will take second place tc
no man in the depth and power OF my
Ioy at your return, or OF apprecia
tion Of the deeds you have done.
am not compelled to draw upon my
imagination to picture what ! ough'
to feel. My own flesh and blood are
here. The loved ones, fruit Of man,
nrayers and watchings, who went
forth into the great unknown. volun
teers in the worlds army OF freedom
have come back. even as you. Why
they went forth need not tell MY
own voice has mingled with many
others In proclaiming the story Of thu
worlds sorrow and making vocal thu
miseries that called you boys will
imperious tone. You went from ou1
homes to do battle with the monster
Of cruelty and hate, and rebuild q
world In righteousness. OF your deeds
over there. and of your service herr