The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1920-06-03
LEGEND OF The GRAND
ARMY OF The REPUBLIC

written by Comrade c. F. Blaicl
and read by him at the Memorla
Day exercises at the Liberty theatre
Nav 80. Comrade Blaich is, so ia
as is known, the only Civil War vet
eran residing in this vicinity.)
The purpose for which the Grand
Army of the Republic was organized
is symbolized in our badge. Let uf
take a good look at it and see. First
we notice a soldier and a sailor clasp
ing hands, which means fraternity.
Between them two children, soldiers
orphans, receiving the benedlctlon
and assurance of the protection OF
the two comrades, symbolizing char
itv. In the center, standing taller
than the soldier and sailor, the God
dess of Liberty, which signlfles
loyalty.
From the time of our organization
until today, fraternity, charity and
loyalty has been our legend and we
have undertaken to be true to it.
The peculiar bonds of friendship
and comradeship that drew as to-
gether during our four long years OF
common hardship and danger, COM
mon purpose and principles, COM
mon helpfulness and sympathy, were
indeed strong when we came home
from the service. Yet they have be-
stronger and more binding dur
ing the time which is more than half
a century since those days and dur
ing our decrease in membership. Our
bows lust come home from overseas,
though they know something OF COM
radeship, they do not feel it as those
will who may be living fifty years
from now. One of the most effective
means of preserving and strengthen
ing our fraternal relations has been
our fellowship in the Grand Army of
the Republic. The few comrades
who have not been members with US
have lost more than they can under
stand.
As soon as the Grand Army was
organized, its influence began to be
manifested in the establishment of
homes for unfortunate veterans of
he Civil war. In those homes, both
tate and national, many thousands
# the bravest defenders of our Re- :
Dublic have received the best of are :
nd have been kept from the poor =
ouse. /;
Our auxiliary, the Woman's Re !,
eff Corps, has done a great work in =
he way of caring for such comrades =
nd their wives as needed help. They !
done much in furnishing cot q
ages and hospitals in all the state =
oldiers' Homes in u country, be- >
lg always eager to do all they could :
S a relief organization. Not a little
been done by our other allied
ocieties, the Ladies of the Grand !
of the Republic, Daughters of
reterans, Sons of Veterans, and
heir a~uxiliaries. All this helpful
FORK has been done side by side and
4 harmony with that Of the Grand
-rmy of the Republic. a
Perhaps the most important of a
lese three purpose of u organiza- a
on is loyalty-the stimulation and
ultivation Of the spirit of patriotism c
Our first Memorial day was OBJ 81
erved in accordance with the gen n
raj orders of our Comrade in Chief, g
General John A. Logan, and was OBJ o.
erved May 3Oth, 1868, ffty-two d
ears ago today. At first, not a e.
reat deal of attention was paid to c.
re matter, as it was something new. a
little time was required for peo- Il
lie to get into the habit of its OBJ Il
srvance, Yet, as the day came and o.
.ent with the passing years, our tt
Dmrades and their friends came to re
eel that the custom of strewing
overs upon the sleeping places of W
lose who had offered their lives in d;
efense of our flag and all it sym az
olized was both beautiful and fit m
ng. 1t has now come to be a day w
: sacred significance, a kind of Ma fl
onal Sabbath, when both young and til
d drop for a time the regular bus Ill
.ess of life to honor the memory of a
II soldier dead. pc
The influence of Memorial Day pc
IS been purely patriotic. Not in
sed of the noisy kind, but that 1
hich moves the heart and leaves ia
ERE a lasting impression. 1t has af
zen religious in its nature, appeal of
to the public conscience, for re- ha
sion and patriotism are very close pit
related. From the first the SER nc
ces of Memorial Day have appeal pc
in particular to our little citizens l
school. There they have learned af
any hero stories that have been in wi
resting to them. In their Memoir tn