Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-02-26
SERVICE IN MEMORY
OF DEAD COMRADES
Next of Kin Receive Certificates
Given by French Government
in Honor Of American Boys
Who Made Supreme Sacrifice
in World War

white-haired old gentleman With a
iivid scar under his left eye, was noticed
quietly weeping as the Rev. |. e. Smart
concluded reading the words Of the stir
ring song. THE Americans Come" at tho
memorial exercises conducted at the Ma
jesttc Theatre by tho American Legion
Sunday afternoon, az which certificates
given by tho French government in honor
of the American boys who died in the
World War were presented 10 the next
Of kin of these boys
As the last note Of taps died out ard |
tho audience began to leave the theatre
this old gentleman, lettering I'D tho aise
on the arm Of young ex-service man ~
the World War was heard TO remark: II
served three years and six months in the
Civil War ] know what II all means"
The tears which fell from the eyes NJ
the hite-haired veteran were not tha
only ones which were seen IN the theatrs
yesterday as Burlington Post. No .,
American Legion. conducted the mpres.
sive ceremonies in honor of their com
rades who had been left behind 'sleeping
in France"
The program was simple but effective.
The Rev. c. j. Staples delivered the men,
the occasion. Preceding his address. tho
Majestic Theatre orchestra rendered A.
selection; Norman H. Mcleod read Gem
eral Washingtons prayer; the audience
sang america" the Rev l. c. Smart
read Edwin Markham's poem. France in
Battle Flame" and the audience sang
the "Marseillase. AT the close of the
address. the words Of the song, Tho
Americans Come" were read by the Rev
I. c. Smart; the Star Spangled Banner
was sung: and the public ceremonies we're
closed by the sounding of taps by Bugler
George Branson of the Third Cavalry,
Fort Ethan Allen.
After the main part Of the audience had
left the theatre. the certificates issued by
the French government to the next of
kin of the American soldiers, sailors and
marines who died while in the service
in the World War. were presented to tina
relatives who had remained for this spe-
cial ceremony. Paul Kicker, COM
mandant of Burlington Post, No. ., who
presided throughout the memorial serv-
ices. presented the certificates assisted
by representatives of the army and navy
There were 80 certificates presented and
most of them were claimed at the theatre.
on the platform during the exercises
sat Paul Kicker. commandant, Howard
Leod adjutant and J. ]. Doran. member
of the executive committee of Burlington
Post. No. 2; Mayor J. Holmes Jackson,
the Rev c. j. Staples and the Rev. I. c.
Smart.
| American flags and bunting made up
the decorations Of the theatre. being used
profusely on the stage and draped from
the boxes.
! AS the opening strains Of America"
were heard a curtain which formed the
background of the stage was rolled back
/ displaying large American flag which
filled in the entire space back Of the
stage.
| The address Of Dr. Staples conferred
about the new link which has been FORM
ed between France and America as a re-
suit of the World War He said that the
names Of Lafayette ana Was hington were
now linked as never before with the
names of thousands of young Americans
who fought on the fields of France. The
speaker emphasized the common sacri.
flee which has made this link even
stronger. The fellowship Of sacri-
{ flee will lift us beyond our partial under
standing of each other. 1t is now the re-
sponsibilty of this country to see that
the lives Of these dead are not wasted. that
their memory does not die The speaker
declared that the certificates presented
by the Republic of France stand for some-
thing which cannot be spoken.
| DR.. Staples described in detail the group
figure on the certificates and explained
for what the different parts Of the group
stand. In closing, he paid homage to the
dead whom the service commemorated and
left with the relatives and friends WORD.
Of sympathy and high hope for the fu-
ture.
THE HONOR ROLL.
! The names of those who comprise the
honor roll of this vicinity, and whose next
! Of kin received the certificates from e
| Republic of France yesterday, are given
below. II is realized chat this roll lie not
complete. and the United States govern
ment wishes the cooperation OF all rea-
tives and friends OF soldiers, sailors ard
marines. In bringing the list up TO date
in order that certificates may be issued at
once to all those who are eligible for them.
The list
Frank Il. Ansrd Henry Fl. Hoicomb