The Delta independent., 1920-06-04
M EMoRiAL DAY WAS TRULY
A MEMORABLE EVENT HERE

Monday, May 31st, was celebrated
as annual Memorial day in Delta, and
from early Sunday morning streams
of autos, pedestrians and vehicles OF
various descriptions went TO the cem-
etery to pay fitting tributes to the
dead.
On Sunday morning at the Baptist
church the regular Memorial Sunday
service was observed, Rev. J. c. Ash
ley delivering in his inimitable style
a sermon, which is pronounced one
of the best ever heard in this city. A
special choir, selected from the sew
eral churches, furnished appropriate
music.
On Monday morning at $3.50, the
line of march was formed at Odd Eel
lows hall and with the American LIE.
gion boys in the lead, went to the
court house lawn, where with few
words of introduction the Relief Corps
president, Mrs. Wright, opened the ex-
ercises. Mrs. Florence Weeks, patriot
ic instructor, then made fitting ad-
dress of presentation, delivering a
utuuSOulc lag " 'NhAs oSN
No. 62, American Legion. The beloved
America" was sung at the opening
and THE Star-Spangled Banner"
closed this feature of the days pro-
! gram, after which the solemn process
sion wended its way to the Silent City
OF the Dead, where exercises were
continued. Twenty young girls, from
q = a-rfrai n white carried
beautiful bouquets and floral wreaths
/ which were placed upon the graves
of the soldier dead.
The officers of the Woman's Relief
Corps gave the beautiful ritual serv-
| ice. while grouped about the monu-
ments erected to the memory OF the
unknown dead. Mrs Stearns rendered
+ the challenge from FLANDERS Fields,
and Mrs. Weeks gave the response.
After a prayer by Rev. Ashley. flow
ers were placed upon the monument
/ to the unknown dead and the wreath;
were left on the graves of soldiers by
the Young girls who had carried them
there.
! Immediately after the ceremonies
here the procession went to the North
Delta bridge, where another service
similar in character. was held for the
sailor dead. and amid the most pro
found and solemn service small boat
covered with flowers, was SLOWLY
launched on the river. The boat was
the handiwork of George McCafferty
returned artilleryman, from the
World war.
At noon, a bountiful dinner was
served at the Odd Fellows dinirs
room. and here about $50 were abun
dantly served with the best there i;
in the line of eats. The guests in
cluded members of the Relief Corp:
and their families G. A R. American
Legion men. and all ex-service men
The afternoon program was presid
ed over by r. S. Kelso, membe
of the G. A. R. and he filled thu
chair with dignity. The program wa:
more or less informal. but was full c
: interest throughout
Major Charlesworth opened th'
meeting with a rousing address, whicl
was followed by several numbers b!
Parker's four-piece orchestra. Mrs
Aurilla Wright then gave a short. ou
interesting, address on patriotism
giving some of her early experience:
and lessons to be drawn therefrom.
A chorus of American Legion boy:
next gave several numbers and Jaci
Foster. returned soldier. who spen
several months overseas. gave vo
cal solo. Rev. J. c. Ashley proved
himself a master entertainer, wher
he kept the audience on the tiptoe OF
interest throughout his address. Sense
and nonsense. humor and pathos. were
so curiously blended that every min
ute was of intense interest. and one
felt after he had finished that 1t was
good to be there. Rev. Ashley was
followed by. Mrs. Stearns with read
ing. and Mrs. Kelso, on behalf of the
Corps. expressed thanks to all who
had helped to make the day success
The meeting then adjourned.