The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-09-26
AMBOY EXTENDED THE GLAD
HAND TO FIGHTERS
SPLENDID PROGRAM
Patriotic Pageant Big Feature
Fine Banquet To the Ser
vice Men

welcome Home, Boys!' joyful as
these happy words on the Zig pen
nant which overhung the Main street
of Amboy yesterday was the well
planned home coming celebration
which that patriotic and progressive
little city accorded to its returned
service men. All roads leading into
AmbOy were gayly decorated with
flags. and the business places on the
principal business thoroughfare were
bright with flags and the national
colors. In observance of the day all
business houses were closed, and
smiling people thronged the streets
to enjoy the festivities. Khaki uni y
forms were to be seen everywhere,
and Red Cross ladies, Boy Scouts and
Girl scouts, all in uniform, mingled
with the crowd, adding to the pat
riotic and gala character of the day.
The immense service flag which
hung across the front of the Albrecht
Scnve company store, futtcred in
the breeze, calling attention tc it's
stars, which numtcr one hundred and
three, each star representing brave
soldier from the community who went
forth TO offer his life in his coun-
tly's service. One golden star is
mute, but eloquent evidence of the
fact that one CT Ami oy's soldiers
made the supreme sacrifice, giving
his life upon the field of battle for
the honor of his country. The gold
en- star was placed for Bert Jennings,
who was killed in action during one
of the big engagements o. the war.
An interesting Progsm.
Under large tent, which had been
erected near the depot, an interest
ing program was given, commencing
shortly before the noon hour. Rev.
L. l.. Smythe, pastor of the Presby-
terrain church, presided as chairman
OF the meeting, and Rev. j. w. Bos-
from, pastor of the Methodist church,
introduced the speakers. The high
school chorus, led by Miss Mielke.
sang America" everyone standing
at attention, and for their second
scng sang. Long, Long Trail" May
or w. o. Johnson delivered an adj
dress of welcome, and the. response
was given by Sergeant Arnold Swarz.
Rev. A. w. Ross, pastor of the
Presbyterian church of st. Peter de-
livered an eloquent address on pat
riotism and the need of the guidance
OF Divine Providence at all times,
and especially in times of great cris-
cs. He spoke in highest term of
praise of the men who served their
country during the war, and dwelt
upon the vital questions which are
now confronting the world In spite
OF all political scheming he stated
that he believed that the supreme
thought tchind everything in America
is TO choose the path and the way that
is best for the country. He touched
uron some facts of patriotic nature,
and stated that patriotism in its
truest sense is the recognition of God
in the social order of everything, and
that there is only one way in which
people may do their best for this
glorious nation and that is by find
ing God, and considering Him in all
ctions.
Grip of the Almighty.
IL want to bring before you a
thought of which am sure the re-
turned service men are more aware
than L. said, DIR. Ross. THAT fact
is that the Almighty has in His grip
all the forces of human life and it is
for us TO make use of these forces"
He related incidents Of the war,
showing the efficiency of prayer, the
power of God having saved the day
when everything appeared to be lost.
ICED never intended one man, or
group of men to rule the world. The
work before you and men at the
present time is to practice the same
self denial and sacrifice as the men
who served. Their service is cha1-
lenge to us to strives to do what is
best for cur country, and hand down
to posterity q still more glorious land
than the one we received from our
ancestors Not by might of human
power will this be gained, hut by
the power of the Divine Master, who
wants to use us for his own purpose,
to give us reign of peace. and to
help us to enoble our lives" The ad-
dress of DR.. Ross was received with
appreciative applause. After the
singing OF the song, "Johnnies in
Town by the high school chorus,
everyone stood at attention and sang
the .'Star Spangled Banner" which
closed the program in the tent. In
the evening THANKSGIVING service
was held in the Methodist Episcopal
church, the program consisting Of
patriotic addresses and muric. The
soldiers were given q dancing party,
music for the dance being furnished
by Sandon's Harp orchestra.
Soldiers at Banquet.
! Returned service men and Z their
wives and sweethearts were enter
tanned at a banquet preceding the
afternoon program. and hundreds of
people were served in the big gar
age building, where tables had heen
set, and prettily decorated with
! flowers. Mrs C. w. Marks was
chairman of the dining hall, and it
was very happy place. everyone en- :
joying the delicious meal and the
CHEEKY service.
/ Concerts during the day were Civ
en- by the Mankato Sandon band, and
I the ball game between Delevan and
i Winnebago, and program of sports
and contests took place during the
late afternoon. The, ball game was
/ played en- the aviation field, and the
races and sports took place on the
main street. Airplanes from the