Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-17
FIRST WELCOME
HOME BANQUET
A BIG SUCCESS
initial Entertainment for Returning
Soldiers and Sailors Endorsed
by Honor Guests.
PROGRAM AN EXCELLENT ONE
Patriotic Good Fellowship Is Key.
noe Sounded at Gathering
Sponsored by Red Cross.

Welcome home Truly these
words typify the sense and spirit
q the first Of a series of banquets
and entertainments in honor of re-
turning soldiers and sailors given
under direction Of the welcome
home committee OF the Rock Island
chapter Of the American Red Cross
az the Masonic temple last evening.
approximately one hundred sew
eHty-hve people, including about
one hundred fifty men in uniform,
entertainers. speakers and guests
making up the remainder, were the
recipients of WhOle-hearted, rous-
ing reception. which, at its cOnclu-
sion, was unanimously voted dis
tinct success.
A gay, patriotic, comraderie prov
cd the keynote of the gathering
Convivial good Fellowship held
sway, manifesting Itself upon every
hand. For these men who had re-
sponded to their cuuntry's call the
war was over. peace had come and
they were-home! More than suf-
fcient grounds for joyous merry
making. to be sure.
But beneath it all was evidenced
{ deeper. more serious strain-a re-
born love of flag and country with
is traditions and principles of free
dom and liberty Not forgotten in
the JOY OF homecoming were the
boys who have not yet come back,
aud especially those who will never
return-those fallen heroes who
make forever sacred in American
Learts the soil of France.
Expressive beyond the power of
'rords TO describe was the full min
ute devoted by the Ssemblage~tO
reyerent thought ana prayer in 81
lent honor and respect to the mem
DRY of pals and "buddies" who went
west" that victory might be won.
Standing. with bowed h Ilds, the
minute was given.
Following informal assembly
from $50 until 7:15 the company
marched into the banquet hall to
the strains of patriotic airs rem
Gered by Whites orchestra. InvO-
cation by Rev D. A. Johnson pre-
ceded an excellent repast. very cap
ably served by members of Amoo
ealdron No. > W. L. Franks, act
ing as postmaster for the ~evening,
introduced Mayor William McCOno-
chic.
Mayor Speaks.
In his address of welcome the
mayor said in part:
''All America hOnOrs and respects
you for the sacrifices you have
made, the hardshins you have en-
dured and the dangers you have
faced on the battlefields of France,
when in obedience to duty's call,
you left your peaceful, comfortable
homes, crossed the seas through the
danger zone on high seas. followed
the stars and stripes on the battle
fields of Europe. And let it be said
20 your everlasting credit and hon
oT, that by your conduct in the SER
wee. an American soldier will ever
be considered a man and a gentle
nan, always generous to a fallen
foe. sharing his last crust with a
beaten enemy or the starving wom-
en- and children of all nations,
France. Belgium. Italy. in the Bal
hans, in frenzied Russia, or on the
eastern coast of Asia. And where
ever the stars and str pes are I'M
turled ,~the people of those misguid-
Cd and benighted lands will recog-
nize them as emblems of freedom,
;aw and order.
And TO you boys who have never
seen service over there. I want 20
saw that America respects you too,
circumstances may have prevented
YOUR active service on the firing
line. but your excellent training.
and your soldierly bearing have
fully prepared you for such service,
and undoubtedly there are Just as
true. loyal and patriotic hearts
beating in YOUR breasts as in the
breasts of those boys who have had
the chance to demonstrate their
bravery and loyalty on the fields of
France and Belgium. and had you
been given the chance. you would
lave covered yourselves with the
same glory as those boys who are
now returning after beng in active
service over there.
Remember Dead.
But in celebrating our victories,
let us not forget the boys who have
sacrificed their all Tor our glorious
cause. Let US keep forever in low
ing memory the names and forms
Of those who have fallen and lie in
foreign soil, consecrated with their
blood; let their names be forever
inscribed in letters OF FURNISHED
gold across the blue arch of heaven
it'll their gold stars of glory until
time shall be no more. And in our
10Y tonight. let us not forget the
mother who in silence weeps for
her boy who Sleeps in the sacred
soil of France. AMI the wives ard
Sweethearts whose hearts bleed for
their loved ones who have made the
supreme sacrifice.
ION behalf of the people of the
city of Rock Island. l. as their
mayor. wish to extend the glad
hand of fellowship and welcome
you back to your homeland. to en-
joy the companionship of friends
and loved ones. In their behalf I
.@ant to thank you Tor The glorious
victory which is ours, which you
have given US in the name Of hui
mainly. liberty and freedom. We
owe you a debt of gratitude. which
.an never be paid. And it is our