The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-07-06
Prevailing Fine w e a t h er
and Elaborate Program of
Events M a de Occasion
Festive One.
FIRE WORKS DISPLAY
WAS A BIG FEATURE
Awarding of Croix De
Guerre Was Impressive
Incident-Festivities Con-
tinued Till Late
BY KENDALL HOLLAND

Three big factors in the winning or
the world war, the army. the navy ano
labor, represented by the Pensacola
Shipbuilding Companies. and other
workers, joined hands yesterday ana
celebrated the Independence Day an
niversary at Fort Barrancas. carrying
out the program arranged for Friday
the 4th. postponed on account of the
storm.
Captain +. NJ Bennett, commandant
OF TIE Naval Air Station. Major j. l..
Hughes. commandant of the army post
and Captain ]. l.. Sweeney OF the PEN
sacola Shipbuilding plant were In at
tendance and pronounced the affair
one of the most successful in many
years-by virtue of the fact that IL was
celebration not only OF the Declara-
ton Of Independence.~ but OF the end
ing or the world war with the signing
OF the peace treaty. The attractive
ness Of the program and the prevailing
fine weather were conducive to great
crowds.
Charles w. Bateman. pharmacist
mate first class. was presented with
the French Croix de Guerre. with a
gilt star for exceptional bravery and
heroism in action. Captain +. M. Ben
nett made the presentation and read
the official citation from Marshal OF
France Petain, which said in part:
He gave aid to the wounded under
violent bombardment, July 10, 1918.
during the combats of Vierzy. With
ders. he on numerous occasions took
wounded to the rear. continually ex-
posing himself bravely to the most
violent bombardments."
He congratulated the young sailor,
as did Major Hughes and Captain
Sweeney. Bateman served in France
with the marines on detached service
and is now residing in Pensacola
Sporting Events.
During the afternoon sporting events
lzaI 4rt. s.f yha A.
interest At noon Chow Calf was
sounded and everyone was treated TO
delicacies under the direction OF the
three units giving the celebration.
At 1870 p. m. the second ball game
between the Navy Yard and the Cush-
noes started and during this event
three No seaplanes from the Naval
Air Station and one Re- seaplane came
into view and soon the crowd was in
dulging in neck-craning. The stunts
performed by the airmen were daring
and in a number of instances passen-
gers of the N19s were seen standing
on the top of the plane riding through
the air at the rate of sixty-five miles
an hour.
Officer mess was provided for the
officers of the local posts and their
guests. The general mess resembled
more of a big family than anything
else and nothing was sold to anyone
Everyone had as much as they want
ed and more.
AT y. m. dancing started in the
new pavilion recently erected for the
affair and both that and the old pa
Wilton were utilized owing to the
crowds.
At O'Clock p. m. moving pictures
started and continued for an hour AT
which time general intermission was
observed for refreshments.
At p. m. the fireworks, which
proved to be quite a revelation in the
art, was exhibited. Set pieces without
number were fired, 10 the amazement
and amusement of the crowds, and the
of "Ah's" from the crowd
showed that IL was truly appreciated
This was concluded with "A large set
piece showing "Old Glory" waving and
IT that time the band played a number
IF phrases from the national anthem
Dancing until the midnight hour
the program and tired but
happy crowd OF service men and Pen
'acolians voted that IL was the best
lime given Pensacola for many months
No accidents occurred to mar the
happiness of the day and the conges-
i've crowds were handled by the
facilities with admir-
ible ease. summary of the sport
ng events will be found elsewhere in
rhe Journal