South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-25
FOR
RETURNED MEN
Y. M. c. A. the Scene of South
Bends Formal Welcome
to Fighting Men.

Three hundred and ntty DIS
charged soldiers and sailors, besides
a number OF South Bend business
men. discovered last night that the
Y NJ. c. A. isn't such a bad place
after all.
After big feed the fellows just
out Of the service listened 10 few
short speeches. and then spent the
rest OF the evening in dancing. The
dinner was served by members of
the local Elks' lodge. who acted as
walters.
During the meal Donahue's orch
estra furnished music and Barry
Scanlon, Miss Rae Cohen. Joseph
Crepeau and Miss Mabel Abrams
rendered vocal selections After
the walters had cleared away part
OF the dishes, a number Of Red
Cross girls distributed cigars and
cigarets TO the boys. Maj. L. l..
Dennis was then introduced as
POSTMASTER. and the speeches be
gan.
In the absence of Mayor Carson.
who is confined to his home with
sickness, City Atty. 7. W. Slick made
the address of welcome Because
the POSTMASTER had used such
honeyed language in introducing
him. or because the next mayoralty
campaign is only about three years
off. the city attorney declared that
he didn't know of anyone who
would MAKE a better successor for !
Dr. Carson than Mr.. Dennis.
We're Glad You're Back.
We're glad you're back" de- !
clared Mr.. Slick in his address. I'm /
speaking for the people of South
Bend. and believe me. we're all
mighty glad. Whether you were in
the trenches, or whether you were
unfortunate enough to have TO turn
back just after you got overseas, or
whether you didn't even get out OF
camp in this country. so long as
YOU did what was required Of you,
we're proud Of you, and we're glad !
you're back"
At the conclusion OF his speech. |
Mr.. Slick proposed a toast TO the /
men who went, but who didn't and
won't come back. All men in uni (
form rose and drank the toast in /
water TO the men who didn't come !
back" was Mr.. Sticks toast. May /
we who are here De given greater
enthusiasm 70 do our work for the
patriotic things for which they /
fought and died"
Sergt. PreII Replies.
Sergt. Carl +. Pren. headquarters
company. 137th field artillery. deliv-
cred the response on behalf Of the
soldiers South Bend and St. 10
seph county served as an excellent
example for us from the beginning"
he declared. We watched with in
terest the reports OF your campaigns |
here. and it did us good to see how |
we'll you stood back of us. How |
could the fellows from here do any /
thing but their best, when they |
knew the home folks were behind /
them?'
And you have done more than |
stand back of us, and we're grateful |
TO you You have jobs waiting for |
all of US. you are ready TO help US I
get back into civil life. / thank you, /
in behalf of the soldiers and sailors, /
for what you have done and are |
doing.
I'VE are better citizens for our |
having gone away. We have learned /
TO see South Bend in its true light /
Now we make our homes in South /
Bend from choice-not because we /
were born here. We're going 10 |
work hard TO return the things you I
have done for US We're going 10 |
take a pride in our city that we /
-
what this war has done for US.
Old Commander Speaks.
Col. G.. w. Freyermuth, who COM I
manded the old third regiment OF Z
the Indiana national guard, and who I
was in command Of the 18TH field F.
artillery for a time. was the next I
speaker I'm glad that I can talk 4
TO you man to man" the colonel I
began. Il don't have TO abide by
the army regulations any more.
can slap you on the back and say. I
Hello, Jack I'm glad to see you I
And now l want 10 tell you few
things.
Perhaps some Of the officers Of +
the regular army would be shocked F.
because I want to talk TO you this /
way. They seem TO think, some Of I
them at least. that there are no .
gentlemen among the enlisted men. /
But / take exception to that right I
here and now"
After relating a number Of stories /
concerning some of the officers and
men in his former command. Col. (
Freyermuth concluded with the ad- I
monition: Get TO work as quickly \
as you can. fellows. It's all right 10 /
loaf around for a day or two. But I
don't let laziness get hold OF you /
There are Jobs awaiting you, go and I
take them. You're welcome as the 7
flowers in June, right now. but II /
YOU stand around on the streets for /
anv length OF time, telling stories
until you begin 10 believe them your 4
self. you'll be about as welcome as (
a sore boil"
Invited TO Elks' Temple.
The announcement was made that I
all returned soldiers have been /
given a three-months' free member
ship in the Y. VI. c. a, and the men
were urged 10 take advantage OF
their privileges. An invitation was