Putnam patriot., 1919-10-17
THOMPSON'S BIG
 WELCOME HOME DAY
Service Men Given Royal Re. ception In Gaily Decorated
 Town
Fine Parade. Music, Speeches, Sports.
 Banquet and Dancing

l All thompson was out iaSt Satuf- day to give the service men of the town royal welcome home The old town did itself proud and all day long the atmosphere was alive with patriot ism and through gaily decorated streets where the national colors were lavishly displayed passed the fine pa rade, always the chief feature of such events. Business blocks and private dwellings were tastefully decorated and the days program was carried to successful conclusion at late hour in the evening.
 | The committee, consisting of Chair man John F. Reardon. Dyer s. Elliott. Rev. B. F. Connolly, Charles Johnson and Leon Walker, has received we'll merited praise for the manner in which the celebration was carried through.
 A united Thompson paid tribute to l the boys who were in the service of | their country There were 1S6 of them in the line and everywhere they received cheers and applause as they marched by. They must have been | impressed with the spirit evidenced | and felt that their townspeople ap- preeiated their efforts and were proud | of them.
 l The parade was the chief feature of the day and it was fine one. The | line formed shortly before 9 o'clock near the big mill at North Grosvenor- Dale and at 9 it was under way. Thousands of people saw the pretty pageant all along the route and were greatly pleased with the appearance of each division. Many people from the surrounding towns were on hand early and cars were parked at vantage points all along the line of march.
 Four musical organizations were in line. These were the Band Canadian of North Grosvenor-Dale. Pulaski band of Webster, Albanian band of Worcester and Warren's drum corps of Putnam.
 The service men marched together and made a fine showing, denoting in camp and abroad. The insignia of many divisions was noticed as the boys passed by and all along the ruote they were the center of attraction.
 It was hard to distinguish to whom credit was due for some of the beauti- ful floats, as some were not marked, but all were tastefully gotten up and looked attractive.
 The school children were out in force and made a good appearance. Their bright faces denoted that they were enjoying the day, which will make an impression on them to last as long as they live.
 The Red Cross division had an at tractive showing. The members were in the uniform dear to every soldier s heart, and their float was one of the best in the line.
 The churches were all well repre- sented. The Swedish church had a memorial float on which many young ladies rode. The Methodist church 1 had. miniature church building on 1 wheels which attracted much atten- ! tion, and many of the congregation 1 enjoyed a ride on it.
 The K. of c. was there with it's hut l in charge of officials who later distrib- 1 uted gifts to the service men, making 1 good it's motto, Everybody Welcome 1 Everything Free"
 Quinnatisset Grange turned out its l membership to escort its float, the ! marchers carrying the tools of hus- 1 bandry.
 Something entirely new was the YD 1 ambulance bearing a plasard, "YD Ambulance Pooling the Huns." The I ambulance was camoufaged with boughs and would have been hard to 1 detect on the field of battle, as from 1 a distance it looked like pile of brush
 Societies of St. Joseph's church 1 made a fine showing. all carrying their banners. The St. Jean Baptiste Society had float with the little lamb 1 and little St. Jean Baptiste.
 A float, Mothers of Our Boys, was another section that was applaud ed. On it rode some of the mothers who spent many a sleepless night 1 thinking of their sons and wondering l if they would ever return to them.
 The fraternal and patriotic organ izations were all in line and the fire men made a fine showing as they marched by.
 From North Grosvenor-Dale the | line proceeded to Grosvenor-Dale and from there to Thompson Hill, where the ladies of the Red Cross served hot coffee. It was too far for the school children and they left the line at Grosvenor-D Dale and they were served with ice cream and cookies.
 Upon returning to North Grosvenor-