The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-06-04
MEMORIAL DAY FITTINGLY OBJ
SERVED

honor of the nations soldier dead held
in every community in the country
Monday were made more solemn and
came closer to the people as whole
this year than ever before. AS the
ranks of the veterans of the Civil
War thin almost to nought there is
added the dead of the Cuban and
World wars and the marching veter-
ans of these wars with scouts in
khaki and the civilian organizations
bring to all the recollection of brave
deeds and hard battles.
1t was a beautiful Memorial day,
warm, almost too warm for comfort,
and during the morning, the roads
leading to Oak Hill cemetery in this
city were alive with automobiles, and
pedestrians, flower laden, going to the
city of the dead to lay floral emblems
tenderly upon the last resting places
of their loved ones. Soon afternoon,
the ramory became the mecca of all
and at 80 the hour at which the ex-
,ercises were to start, the spacious
building was crowded, with exception
the G. A. R., w. R. G. and American
Legion. The rostrum had been pret-
tily decorated, flags, greenery and
flowers Transforming it into a bower
of beauty. On the platform were
{ Mayor A. T. Wright; president of the
day, Rev. Carlos H. Hanks, of New
ark, Ohio, and Rev. H. A. Waite and
<41 81 4nIr L.
program. The choir of the First M.
E. church, was also on the platform.
Escorted by Patterson-Dawson Post
American Legion and Company %,
Michigan State Troops and the Owos-
so City band and led by DR.. A. G.
! Cowles band of Durand, members of
Quackenbush post, G. A. R. and w.
r. C. marched from their hall on
East Main street to the armory, soon
after 1870, and the audience arose in
respect to them as they entered and
took their seats.
The Owosso City band rendered a
selection that was much appreciated,
following which Mayor Wright OPEN
ed the program with few remarks,
in which he paid tribute to the veter-
ans of the three wars and to the aux
iliary organizations of women affilia-
ted with them. The impressive public
Service of the G. A. r. including the
reading of Memorial orders and salute
to the dead was carried out, following
which the First M. E. church choir
sang, "God Save America. The w.
r. c. public service, and the reading
of the memorial address, were listen
ed to intently after which Rev. H. A.
Waite pronounced invocation. Gov.
Sleeper's Memorial Day proclamation
was read by Donald Cook. Mrs. Lii
liam Vogel Harding rendered in most
pleasing manner. "The Story of Old
Glory" and Mrs. Agnes Wiley, past
=, department commander, Women's Re-
lief Corps, read the immortal Gettys-
burg address of President Lincoln,
General Logan's first Memorial day
proclamation was read by Miss MaD,o
Smithgall.
Rev. G. H. Hanks of Norwalk, Ohio,
formerly of Owosso, delivered most
high tribute to the men who offered
up their lives for their country, and
expressed gratitude that instead of
decaying and declining as an institu-
ton, Memorial day has become more
deeply rooted in the affections of the
people. He took occasion to mention
the ungrateful alien, who finds asy-
lum on our shores and who repays
America for her kindness by seeking
to incite revolution and destroy our
government.
Every man, woman and child in the
audience, raised their voices in sing
ing America as the closing number
of the program, after which Rev. F.
ID. Draper pronounced benediction.
Immediately following the exercises
at the armory, parade was formed on
West Exchange street under the di-
rection of Captain Oscar J. Reynolds,
marshal of the day and his aides,
Lieut.. Lawrence and Sergeant Claud
Cope, and passed through streets
banked with people.
Leading the procession came the
Owosso City Band, playing a funeral
dirge: then the Boy Scouts, trudgine
along and exuding the spirit that
makes the heroes to whom tribute
was being paid. Company No. %,
Michigan State troops in command
of Lieut.. Byran Thompson marched
next with steady tread, and soldier
ly bearing, Owosso Commandery No.
49, Knights Templar, in command of
Fred Randolph, emminent commander
and John H. Steck, captain general,
followed, with plumes flying ana
swords glistening. The drill team Of
Owosso Aerie of Eagles attired in
natty uniforms of blue trimmed with
white followed in command of Earl
Whiteherse. Owosso Canton, I. o. o.
F. commanded by Wilson Brooks
came next, wearing their gold trim