Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-11
WELCOME THEM HOME

The exigencies of war called our young men away
singly. in dozens, in hundreds, in thousands. There was
no regularity about their departure, nor could there be.
1t was necessary that the call should come to them as
they were needed, and that call found them under all
sorts of conditions. But when the call came it was an
swered. Sometimes it was possible for the people of a
community to which prospective soldiers belonged to rec
ognize their departure with something in the nature of a
formal farewell, and sometimes this could not be done.
But there was always present, nevertheless, the spirit of
God speed" and whenever it was possible ways were
found to express that spirit. - "r
Right Loyalty our men responded to the call. They
donned their uniforms and took up whatever work was
assigned for them to do. Whether in the camps of this
country, undergoing preparation for the field of battle.
or amid the roar and desolation: of the battle lines across
the water, they served, and served we'll. To some came
greater risks than to others, and the precise character of
the service and the opportunity varied with the circum-
stances and the individual, but, whether here or abroad,
whether ashore or afoat, or piercing the blue depths of
the upper air, the men who answered their country's call
to service in this war have written a glorious page in the
history of the United States, and each separate group Of
them have shed luster on the local community from which
it came. .. +5
AS the soldiers went, so they return-by twos and
threes' by comanies, or by regiments. Some are return
ing bearing upon their bodies the indelible marks of the
great conflict, and some sleep their long sleep beyond the
seas. Formal exercises in recognition of their services
cannot be held upon each arrival. But it would be bru.
tai and indecent for any community to fail to recognize,
in some public and appropriate way, the services of these
sons and brothers and friends whose lives were staked
ror the preservation of our peace and the maintenance of
our security. @
The time has been set for exercises in Grand Forks
as a welcome for those who return, and 2 tribute = ..
spect to- those who. return no more. These exercises are
to include the entire county in their scope. There will
be heard the note of sorrow for. those who can no longer
be with u.s. but the dominant thought will be that of Joy
ana thanksgiving for the safe return of loved ones, and
lor the glorious victory for the cause of right to which
'ney contributed 50 splendidly. That will give to the
great gathering a tone and a spirit absent from all of our
former ~assemblages, and features which would have heen
inappropriate then will be thoroughly in keeping with
the spirit OF this occasion.
The gathering which will be held for this purnose
will be beyond all question the largest in the history of
the city. It will be drawn from every part of the county
and because of its size and character. more distant
tons will be literally represented as well. To carry out
the elaborate program which is being prepared funds will
be required, Of course, and it is taken for granted that.
as on AL other occasions, when the scope and character
OF the event Is appreciated, our people will. respond to
Whatever extent Is necessary. 1t will never be said Of the
people OF this community that there was anything lacking
in the warmth and heartiness OF the welcome which they
extended to the men who served them SO we'll where
death was their constant and familiar companion.
The editor Of the craigan. Wash, Observer showed
his ho oof the other day when he observed: I'VE are for
tunata indeed that the wind storm which blew down the
church Thursday afternoon did no real damage
.--------
An.appreciatio Of the military force. we sent obroad
~ sainsdES from the statement that s4o,os1 American col
fdiers7Are stiil IN, EUROPE More than Haif Of the total
force h. been returned.