Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-03-26
NATIONAL WAR
AID ENTERTAINS
Soldiers, Sailors and Marines
Guests of Honor at Pleas
ing Reception

Soldiers, sailors and marines who
have returned from the camps and
from overseas, were the guests of
honor at the March meeting of the
National War Aid held at the Penn
Harris Hotel last evening. The meet
ing was pronounced by many of those
present, the most successful ever held
by the organization. Addresses were
given by soldiers recently returned
from France in which they narrated
their experiences in the great con-
flict.
When the guests entered the Penn
Harris they were met by Miss Eliza
beth Knisely. Miss Ruth Payne, Miss
Mary Creighton, Miss Martha Bailey,
Miss Sara Denehey and Mrs. J. Hof-
fer, acti%'e workers in the canteen
committee of the Red Cross who acted
as a reception committee. They We're
ushered to the beautiful ballroom of
the million-dollar hostelry where the
meeting took place.
Striking French war loan posters
and beautiful plants in profusion
were the decorations for the large
on the walls brought touch of war
time atmosphere to the occasion.
Members of the Motor Messenger
Corps, now the Motor Service Corps,
of the Harrisburg Chapter, American
Red Cross, acted as ushers and it was
ance was in line with that of the
boys in khaki and in navy blue.
Community Singing
Mrs. William Jennings. president
of the National War Aid, acted as
chairman of the meeting. The Rev.
Alfred n. Sayres, pastor of the Sec
ond Reformed Church, offered the
n tfxy ,ifaer riaNgr
followed when the voices of the men
in the service blended with those Of
the mothers, sisters and sweethearts
of those who fought for democracy
and freedom of the world. Reports
of the various committees which fol-
lowed were taken as ample evidence
that the work of the organization is
rapidly progressing and that it. is be-
coming a power for good in the COM
munity. Mrs. Arthur II. Hull sang
the beautiful song. The Rose of No
Mans Land" with Miss Snavely ac-
companying. Mrs. Hull has a mag
nificent soprano voice and her sing
ing last night was exquisite. She also
sang Fay Fosters familiar hymn of
victory, "The Americans Come" The
song, which has been sung very lit
tie in the city, is narrative of
blind French war veteran VINO hears
the tramp of marching feet in Paris.
He rushes to the window and asks his
grandchild what the noise in the
street may be. When he learns that
the child sees white stars on field
of blue, and stripes of red and white,
he shouts in eXultation, God be
praised! The Americans come" The
popular song Dear Old Pal o. Mine"
by Lieutenant Rice was given as an
encore after the audience had persist
emily applauded.
Lieutenant Etter Speaks
4 plr IN tuh
just returned from France, was the
speaker of the evening. With re-
markable address vividly portraying
his experiences amid the shot and
shell, he held his audience spell
bound. Lieutenant Etter was in the
army. serving from May, 1917. He
was identified with the Princeton
Unit, later entering the American
army. He told of the thrilling ex-
periences that had fallen to his lot
overseas. and depicted graphically
followed with close attention by those
present. many of whom have sons.
brothers and sweethearts stationed
somewhere in France" or on the way
home. He paid high tribute to the
brave. self-sacrificing French people
and their indomitable spirit. They
deserve everything they ask for in
the Peace Conference, and hope they
get it," he declared. His talk was
replete with human interest stories
and incidents giving the audience a
new angle on the world war.
William II. Boyer who recently re-
turned from camp. sang delightfully."-
Arthur +. Tate's Somewhere a Voice
is Calling and Oley Speaks when
the Boys Come Home"
II. w. Long, president of the Home
Folks Victory Association of the
World War, appeared before the or
ganization, asking for support in the
efforts of the committee to prepare
for the homecoming of the Harris
burg boys from the front. He told
of the plans of his organization which
include a hearty welcome for the two
units of Harrisburg troops expected
here in June and July. 1t is planned
to hold an entertainment to raise
funds for the first welcome home
celebration. A concert by the. band
of the One Hundred and Twelfth
Regiment will be given to secure
funds for the second celebration.
Present plans include a chicken and
waffle dinner in the Chestnut Street