Evening journal., 1920-02-23
FRENCH HONOR
KIN OF Heroes
Certificates Given Relatives
of Slain Soldiers at Serv-
ices in Playhouse
GOVERNOR AND
MAYOR PRAISE

New Castle county's par, in the ma
t.on-wide memorial which honored The
imerican fallen In the great war with
services and presentation Of rs d.
riomas Of honor from the French gov
ornmeni. took place in The Playhouse,
yesterday afternoon. in spite OF the
drzzio and the threatening skies. the
auditorium was nearly filled by the kin
~ those who passed beyond i'm the
great conflict recently ended, members
II the American Legion, who had
charge Of The program, and The general
public Of Wilmington.
The memorial services yesterday were
impressive In the extreme In one sec
tion Of the auditorium sat the rela-
tives Of the deceased soldiers. many Of
them mothers. fathers, sisters and
brothers Of the young men who died
for their country. Several times during
the services the eyes Of the kin OF
those for whom the services were being
held, were filled with tears, and when
taps were sounded toward the end OF
the program. after the long list Of
Delaware heroes was read. there was
scarcely a dry eye in the theatre.
Despite the best efforts OF the Legion.
there were several relatives OF fighters
who gave their lives for their cOun-
Try present who did not receive di-
plomas These diplomas viii be gotten
as soon as possible. and VIII be for
warded On the other hand, forty di-I
plomas were unclaimed.
Arrangements are now being made by
state Adjutant c.. VI. Dillon and II. G..
Parker. Adjul3nt Of Post No. 4, Ameri-
can Legion, for the delivery OF the un-
claimed diplomas.
State Adjutant Dillon left Wilmington
Saturday night, with about sixty French
diplomas. in addition to the State med
ais, for Kent and Sussex families Of
Young men who died in the service. The
diplomas and State medals were dis
tributed in Smyrna, Dover. Harrington, /
Milford. Georgetown, Laurel and Sea
ford. Memorial services were held yes
Yesterday in all OF these towns, with The ?
exception OF Georgetown and Harring
bon, at which time the diplomas were
awarded. Several OF the meetings took
place in the churches OF the lower
Delaware towns.
4 number OF diplomas and State med
ais will have 10 be carried by messen-
ger to outlying farms, as a receipt has
to be signed
Governor Townsend. one Of the
principal speakers. at the presentation
here. said in part:
NO word we can say viii add ausht
OF glory to their name" Pride mingles
today with our tears. Your sons, sons
% Delaware, sleeping in the fields OF
rance, gave their all that you and
light enjoy the rights and privileges
American citizenship. They went
across the sea and gave all, that
era might enjoy the liberties found
our Institutions and that the Ideals
calvary might yet be realized.
rs their memory is this occasion
Gated. In national appreciation OF
IL. lives and the glorious success at
ned our long devoted France has
en- 10 YOU her certificate OF thanks.
badge OF honor, no proclamation OF (
apreciatl0n can surpass these words (
frarn France sent across the sea-
"Arain Your state gives modestly .
faint token OF appreciation In the medal '
sfr,ick by authority OF your General I
Assembly. Slight expression for the ,
honor indeed. but for such as given by |
,,o,,r sons or kin can III be depicted In .
,naferial form. Bronze, marble. certi- >
Oc,tes OF honor, shafts OF glory fail Ut \
terIv only by our thought Of the ideal \
SN,,ich inspired them, only by the en- !
erev displayed. only by the devotion !
given can we truly approach the honor 7
they deserve. IN
Governor Townsend spoke for the
STATE In appreciation Of the services d
done nv these boys TO the State. n
In behaf OF the city Of Wilmington 1
Mayor Taylor was the speaker. lie said' 4
" This day is most fttlns for the COM /
OF The deeds OF these men, n
FOR n Is the birthday Of George WASH :
incton from whom the nation mas
5raSyn strength in peace and In war
the mayor said. z.. :,
"The Government Of France IN
snd,d fashfon is hOnoring the heroic
~ America today. The great SIS
-on,hIic always ready and willinS
batue for liberty. joins the younger
u,jic in honoring you sons ana the
: of thousands OF other parents 10
Thls IA a great tribuie-all that
can do. Behind it we can see the
,rt OF France expressing It's love and
preciation Of these boys.
4 memorial tablet on which were IN
.erlbed all the names OF Delaware boys
Who died in the service was unveiled
~ David Snellenburg. In a brief ad-
iress Mr.. Snellenburg praised the spirit
r he BOYS who had sacrificed all. and
lated that the living could best honor
bese dead by increased service 10 the
ouniry.
The other speakers was DR.. Meredith
samuel. state commander OF the
american Legion. who expressed the
dmiration OF the comrades Of the de-
eased who were permitted 20 come
ack. He outlined the determination OF
he American Legion 10 stand for the
hings for which these men had died
William T. Turner. commander OF Del
ware Post No. 4, read a letter from
rankin ID. 0lier. National Commander
I the Legion.
One Of the most interesting features