The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-03-01
THOMAS SPEAKS
Continued from Ist Page)

our America-the land we love best of
ALL
The honor roll, which contained the
names of those from this section who
paid the supreme sacrifice, was read bv
Raymond l.. Brown, adjutant of Brattle-
boro post, American Legion. There were
others, he said, who went from Brattle-
boro but whose addresses were given as
from other places, and their kin would
receive like diplomas from the Legion
post in their jurisdiction.
A fitting tribute was then paid bv Cap
tain Gibson to the Grand Army for their
sacrifices during the Civil war and to the
Woman's Relief corps which, during the
years that have interveIfed, have rem
dered great service not only to the
Grand Army but to the public at large,
and introduced Mrs. Frances f. Clark,
patriotic instructor of the corps, who pre-
scented handsome silk American flag to
Brattleboro post, American Legion. The
flag, which is five feet six inches long by
four feet three inches in width, is Dor
dered with gold fringe. The flagstaff is
surmounted with gold American eagle,
and has two gold cords and tassels. The
gift was accepted by Pearl T. Clapp,
VI lAit pOSl. dlttI WlllCH tilt
flag was unfurled and the orchestra
played the Star Spangled Banner.
After the announcement that relatives
were requested to remain to receive their
diplomas the benediction was pronounced
by Rev. Walter C. Bernard, rector of St.
Michael's Episcopal church.
The decorations of the Auditorium
consisted of American flags and flags of
the allies. A large American flag swung
from the north of the stage, while large
French flag swung from the south side.
The British flag was draped slightly in
PIE background of the French flag and
an Italian flag was similarly draped as a
background of the American flag. Two
American flags were draped on the stage
curtain and one formed cover for a
table on the stage on which were placed
the diplomas each neatly tied with red,
white and blue ribbon, and vase of red
/ and white carnations.
Delegations from Sedgwick Grand
Army post and Sedgwick Woman's Re
lief corps occupied seats in the center of
the main floor and space was reserved
near the front for the relatives oil those
III whose memory the gathering was ar
ranged
Aside from those who took part in the
program several officers of the Relief
corps and American Legion. and clergy
We're seated on the platform.
Dugan's orchestra rendered selections
before and after the program.
| The diplomas, which are 20H inches
| long by 1877" inches wide contain, aside
from the lettering, beautifully en-
grayed group ga inches high above a
cenotaph
| The principal figure of the group sym
bolizes the soul and spirit of the Ameri-
can army which helped France to main
tain alive the flame of the torch of lib
i erty and justice.
1 The sword is not in the scabbard, but
ready at any moment to protect and
defend against the weak and oppressed
who are symbolized in the group to the
4 left by mother holding her babe to her
breast and TO insure justice to the com
ing generations represented by the figure
OF kneeling boy praying and thanking
God for deliverance
At the Fight the figure of man
chained and shaekled symbolizes the spir-
it of evil and the victory over our enc
mics. Also at the right, browning the
spirit of America. stands glory" who
re joices with the old war veteran stand
| ing to the left of the principal figure
symbolizing the armies that are always
ready to fight for the good of humanity
Universal fame is symbolized by the
winged figure over the group and trump
citing to the world the great triumph in
which the United States participated,
and the American eagle posed on the
staff of peace watches zealously and
stands ready to swoop in case our enc
mics again endeavor to disturb the peace
OF the world 50 dearly acquired
The entire group is framed by border
of oak and laurel leaves which always
are discerned to the vctors In the
center of the border above the group are
the figures "l9l4-l9l9."
At the foot of the cenotaph the flags
of France and America are draped and
joined together by a wreath which is the
mark of gratitude and homage which
France pays to our sons who gave their
tives for liberty and justice.
The lines engraved ON the wall above
and behind the group are taken from one
of Victor Hugo's most famous poems
and are:
| CEUX QUI PIEUSEMENT SONr
Morris POUR LA PATRIE ONT
DROIT QUA LEUR CERCUEIL La
FOULE NlENNE EFT PRIZE.
When translated the lines read
1 ssTTboca ,,-ba 6;aJ f0r thar oo,,v