The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1920-06-04
MEMORIAL EXERCISES
BURNS POST MAKES ITS LAST MARCH
MISS SasLLNAa PRESENTS GRAND
ARMY Pla-SERVIGES IN ARMORY-
GRAVES DECORATED.


Memorial day, with all its sacred
memories, was observed in Westmin-
ster on Sunday afternoon, May S0th,
both at the cemetery and in the ARM
DRY with appropriate services.
The veterans of 1862, with the Amer
lean Legion, Veterans of Foreign
Wars, Boy Scouts Eand and fife and
drum corps, met at the Armory and
marched from there TO the cemetery,
the younger men forming guard of
honor to the few remaining comrades
of Burns Post, and led by the fife
and drums corps, under the leader
ship of u. S. G. Brown, and the Boy
Scouts Band heading the line, followed
BY a hundred and fifty children car
rying flowers and flags, and marshall
ed by Miss Mary B. Shellman, assisted
by Miss Blanche Baer, Mrs. Louis r.
Manning and Mrs. Russell Haines and
our two efficient policemen Messrs.
William Helm and Bale, Masters
Henry KINNEY, Francis Thomas and
Charles Croft, in the uniforms of the
Army and Navy were escorts to the
children's brigade.
At the cemetery the services con-
sisted OF prayer by Rev. w. L. Sea-
brook; hymn, Nearer My God to
Thee and the beautiful ritual Of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the de-
posting of a wreath OF white flowers
to the memory of the dead.
During the strewing Of flowers on
the soldiers graves the band played
dirges at the grave of their late COM
trade, Frank Miller, late Of the u. s. N,
and a former member Of the Boy
Scouts.
Returning to the Armory, the Vet
Grams, seven in number, were given
seats on the stage, directly back Of
flower crowned chair, draped in
black, over which was an American
flag, and across the front, the words
Our Old Comrades The program
opened with singing, Ny Country lis
of Thee,p by the audience, led by a
select choir, under the leadership Of
Mrs. II. NJ. KINNEY; prayer, Rev. DR.
Dame. rector of Ascension Episcopal
| Church reading, original poem, We
are Growing Old, My Comrades, by
Miss Mary Bostwick Shellman; pre-
sentation of Grand Army pin and put
ton to Miss Shellman by Commander,
| John III. Mitten, in behalf OF the sur
lvivors. of Burns Post, and presentation
of the Post Flag to the American
Legion aud Veterans Of F'oreign wars
and disbanding OF the Post. Response
by Adjt. Eugene Walsh, in behalf OF
| both organizations; browning Of va
cant chair with flowers by Boy, Scout,
BILLY Ditman and handing over in be-
half of Burns Post the sacred trust
of sperpetuating memorial day to the
two organizations and the Boy Scouts
| 5y Miss Shenman, hymn, peace. Per-
fleet Peace, by the choir; rolling
/ drum. u. S. G. Brown, and taps by
Bugler Paul Wimert.
The second part of the program
consisted of some Apr opriate remarks
4 and a farewell to Burns Post by the
presiding officer, Mr.. H. p Gorsuch;
hymn, THE Battle Hymn OF the Re
public" by the audience; Lincoln's
address at Gettysburg" Mr.. O. B. Lan-
\ grail. Of Baltimore, a student at
Western Maryland College,; address
4 Guy w. Steele, Esq; Kipling's, Re
OCCASIONAL" by the choir, Mr. Albert
4 Mitten, soloist; benediction by the
Rev. Dr. Dame.
The day was beautiful, the Armory
was filled with an attentive, sympa-
thetic and interested crowd; people
in automobiles lined each side Of the
street and al arge number attended
the services at the cemetery.
It was a pathetic sight to see the cid
veterans bravely marching escorted
/ Nv those who have but recently re-
turned from the battle fields and
camps of the great world war, and led
4 by the gallant young boy scouts, the
past. the present and the future.
1t was the last march Tor most OF
the old men. They are growing feeble
but Comrade Fossett brayely carried
/ his beloved old flag in line, as ne
knew, for the last time, and the other
comrades of Burns Post also marched
Ito and from the cemetery, with much
of the old time spirit of endurance. AS
was said at the Armorys The last
chapter is written, the book is closed,
and Barns Post is but a memory
now" But we feel sure they will new
er be forgotten. -
The sons of Blue and Cray will
stand together as they stood on the
nelds of battle and keep taeir memory
lever green.
$40 The Old POST
! We are growing old, my Comrades,
together you and /.
For us the day is dying, the evening
1 shades draw night,
And soon taps will be sounding, as the
4 Sun sinks in the West
And you and | will answer, and lay
1 us down to rest.
Many years have passed and vanished,
since the days of 81
When the bugle call responded to the
sound of Sumpter's gun
And you rallied to the challenge, from
hillside and from glen,
Just as you boys responded, when the
Country called for men,
You too were only boys, when that
stirring call was made
And we know how much you suffered
and how great the price you paid
Those days are but "a memory now,
the march. the prison cell,
The picket post, the battle field, where
many Comrades fell,
And you are growing older, your