New-York tribune., 1919-04-22
Mothers of 09th, Wearing Gold Stars,
Weeping, Welcome Their Sons Pals

1t was precious freight that the pa
troll boat Correction bore out into the
golden sunshine and the blue waters of
the Hudson Yesterday mothers of men
who lie in France kinfolk of those
who Will never sail proudly home as
did the remaining men of the Goth.
with their emerald and gold colors ny-
ing from the masthead and bands play
ing "Killarncy" and "Tho Wcarin OF
the Green"
The other craft madc way for the
boat of tho mothers the mothcrs with
the gold stars. Each star spoiled sur-
ferng and sacrifice. There were wom-
en- with two, and even three. stars
There wcrc women with smiles play
ing around their lips while tears fell
from their eyes. There woro women
who were glad because Of somc other
mothers JOY, though they would never
again welcome their own. There was
the mother who had lost two sons
who yet could say: "Wcll, thank God,
have at least one boy coming home.
Think Of the poor mothers who have
lost four" There were women proudly
wearing the decorations of the men
who will never come home and some
of those who yesterday came home.
Black-Garbed Figures Come
As early as o'clock in the morning
black -garbed figures began to cross
/ 10, !
of them wore the insignia of the Goth.
Many of them carried flags and pen
nants. If they could not welcome their
own boys, at least they could welcome
their sons pals. All morning they
haunted the decks of the boat and COM
pared notes with each other. The
Women's Auxiliary of the 165th Regi-
ment saw to it that they had refresh
mcnts. A deputation of thirteen nuns
from Father DuHy's parish was on the
boat
1t was after 1 o'clock when, with its
strings of gay pennants hutterinr in
the breeze, the Correction, bearing
some 700 passengers, slipped quietly
out into the river in the wake of the
Police Patrol boat. 1t was a perfect
day. The gold-tipped waves lappcd
gently at the bow of the boat. The
Manhattan skyline was clearly CHS
elled against deep blue background.
Weep as They Wave Flags
The Harrisburg was sighted at the
entrance to the Narrows. 1t was the
signal for an outburst of cheering
from the Gold Star Boat, which went
on with never break but with fluctu-
ating momentum until the transport
gilded quietly into its dock at Hobo
ken. Women With tears streaming
down their faces waved aloft their
Erin Go Bragh' banners The band
played Home, Sweet Home" as the
sim, gray monster, with its 1,S0O
troops aboard, came up alongside
There were cries of recognition as the
patrol boat travelled along under the
wing of the transport. There was dis
appointment when it was found to be
some one else. Women held up signs.
welcoming Private Tom Jones and Ser
geant Bill Brown, until their arms
ached. They shoHted themselves honrse
Sirens blared and an aeroplane shirred
overhead.
The heroes Of the Ourcq and Chateau
Ihlerry stood in solid phalanx by the
ratings of the transport. Handker-
chiefs fluttered. The soldiers waved
patory pantomime by afrcctionatelv
hugglng each other. Home again. But
1t was good.
Welcome to Father Duffy
Standing beside the silkcn rcrimentol
coiors far aloft stood Father Duffy, his
head barred. His name was on every
ones lips. Buttons Of welcome to
Father Duffy adorned every lapel.
OF ba
rect!on was heavily vcilcd woman
with the Distinguished Service Cross
pinned to her breast and with two gold
stars on her arm. She lost her hus-
band William j. Bergen Of Fordham-
on July 81, 1918, three days after he
mad been decorated for conspicuous GAL
antry. She lost her brother, too, and
has two other brothers still in the
army.
There was the sorrowing father of
oorporal Otto Ernst, Of 1896 Stevens