Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1919-12-17
WESTLAKELILLIAN
H0N0RS SOLDIERS
Hearty Welcome Given Soldier
Boys Lately Returned From

The Lake Lillian Band Boys had
reception for the returned soldiers at
the Tromsoe Lutheran Free church
Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 9th. The
church was rather small for the occa-
sion, but the ushers did manage to
find seats somehow.
The band opened up the program
by playing welcome and Minnesota
State Song. Then followed "America"
sung by the audience standing as the
band played the tune. Scripture read
ing and prayer by Harry Hawkins,
president of the Y. P. S., and the
choir sang, when the roll is called"
The band played the "Star Spangled
Banner" with the audience standing
singing the first verse.
Then short address of welcome by
the local pastor, A. M. Arntzen, and
the band boys played the flag march.
Red, White and Blue" after which
the soldier boys had their turn.
First came Oscar Solomonson, who
related some of his experiences after
they had gone over the top, and had
the Hun on the rum" winding up
with telling of the celebrating their
Thanksgiving in France, when the
armisitice had been signed
Next came Roy Nilsen, who told of
his experience, when he was taken
prisoner by German troops after his
company had been shot to pieces, and
"gassed" in the bargain. He did not
brag of the fare and treatment in the
prison camp. The daily menu was
black chicOry and a slice of black
bread CD for breakfast; again a slice
black "sawdust" bread with soup ter
rapin, oyster, chowder ETC., in their
imagination for dinner, and ditto for
supper; the soup being transparent
enough to see anything on the bottom
of the bowl, that by the way was only
a tin cup.
To reduce surplus flesh" this diet
beat every known patent medicine on
the market by several miles; and If
they had remained longer, they would
never have returned. They were sick
and dying of starvation, when he glad
tidings Of the armlstlce finally reached
their camp.
| His brother, drill sergeant, Guy Mil
! sen, begged off speaking, and played
a violin solo instead accompanied by
Miss Anna Solomonson; and then the
| choir sang the beautiful song: Home
| again" to very appreciative audience.
The leading speaker of the evening
Rev. B. o. Berg of the Christina
Lutheran church was next introduced,
| and he gave very interesting talk
to the soldier boys on their merits
and courage and the glad homecom-
ing when the struggle was over: re.
minding them also of the struggle
that yet is before them until they
reach the homecoming of Gods own,
who have won the heavenly laurels
and pass on to the mansions that
Christ himself prepared.
1t was getting late. but the occa-
sion required a memorial mention of
their comrade Pvt Max Bomstad, who
was killed in action a month before
the armistice. A pathetic song written
by comrade in South Dakota, was
sung by the Solomonsons duet, and
finally the band played the funeral
march; REST in Peace"
Sumptuous refreshments were serv.
ed, while the band played several new
pieces, that lately have been added
to their repertoire; and the efforts
of the young band were we'll appreci-
ated by repeated requests as no en-
cores were given. A final handshake
with the soldiers ended the happy
event and then homeward glad and
content.
| Contributed