The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-08-11
SPECIAL PRIZES OFFERED FOR
LARGEST AND BEST APPEAR
ING POST IN THE PARADE
NATIONAL com. D'OLIER Is EXPECTED

"hiiu"hL YUM. UlIln ID tWtGItu
Tuesday, August IL, will be a great
day for the American Legion men i'm
iona county, because it is on that
day the Ionia Free Fair management
is to entertain all the Legionaries
IN lonia county and the Ionia free
falr never does things by halves.
The free fair management is work.
ing hand in hand with the committee
from John Girard post of Ionia, in
an effort to locate and extend a cor
dial and hearty invitation to every
ex-soldier and ex-marine in the
county and the following letter just
sent out by the committee in charge,
is being mailed to every ex-service
man in Ionia county, whose address
can be secured by the committee:
"lonia, Mich, Aug. 5, 1920.
To all American Legioniers and
Ex-service Men of Ionia County.
Dear Sir: The patriotic commit
tee OF the Ionia Free Fair associa-
tion, invites you to join the Amer
lean Legion and all ex-service men
OF the World War to attend the Ionia
free fair, Tuesday, August II.
The committee proposed to make
this Patriotic day and to entertain
all American soldiers, sailors and
marines of Ionia county.
you and your comrades are ask
ed to meet at the Ionia court house
square at l o'clock p. m, eastern
time and form in line. Each post
and eX-service men within the posts
jurisdiction forming separately. The
xuha fo ,nI
to the fair grounds where free en-
leges will be furnished. Free tick
cts will be delivered to the line when
formed at the court house square. A
silk flag will be given to the Amer
lean Legion post having in line the
largest number of members of ex-
service men, based upon the per-
centage of the membership of the
post. Another prize of $50 will be
given to the post presenting the best
appearance in formation and line of
march.
while it is optional with each, it
is hoped that as many as possible
will wear their uniforms as this will
be- the first opportunity for all Of
Ionia county men who served in the
World war to assemble as one body
There will be. patriotic speaking
of interest, particularly to the ex-
soldiers and we expect National
Commander. Franklin D'Olier, of the
American Legion will be present.
"We hope you will accept this in
vitation in the same cordial spirit it
is given and get in touch at once
with the officers of the post in your
jurisdiction and help in every way
possible to make this a great Re-
union day Of the Ionia county ex-
service men.
Respectfully yours,
John c. Beattie,
Fred Cutler, Jr.,
II. f. Kidder,
A. r. Locke"
At a meeting of the free fair man.
agement and representatives of the
various posts in Ionia county, held
at the Elks' temple last Tuesday
evening, the posts accepted the in
vitation of the Free Fair manage
ment to join in the parade Tuesday
August II, and the free fair man.
agement offered two splendid prizes
for the posts participating in the
parade. Folly 1000 men are expect
ed to take part in this parade, and
most of them will probably be in un-
form although that detail is left en-
tirely optional with each man him.
self. But the post having the most
uniformed men in line will surely
make the best appearance and since
a cash prize of $50 goes to the post
presenting the best appearance in
line the officers of the various posts
will make an extra effort to have as
many of their men as possible turs
out in full uniform.
Lake Odessa post and Portland
post have already sent notice they
will bring their own bands with them
so the committee is already assured
of the services of six bands for this
opening parade.
An invitation has also been extend
ed to the Spanish war veterans and
to the G.. A. R., and cars will be fur
nished for the use of the G.. A. r..
Hale's orchestra has generously
donated its services for special
American Legion dance at the Elk's
temple Tuesday evening, August IL
at 9 o'clock and the Elks have glad
ly donated the use of their beauti-
full temple for the occasion. SO
American LEGION Day will be a busy
and a happy one and all lonia Will
make every effort to make the day
a memorable one for the Legonairies
The Free Fair management hopes
every ex-soldier and ex-marine and
ex-sailor in the county will be here
that day to accept its hospitality.
L. h dnfn