The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-02-27

ten French certificates were pre-
sented to the nearest relative OF
the men who died in service were
held Sunday afternoon.
Fully 500 people were present,
which include 25 immediate rel
atives of the men, 8 veterans of
the Civil war, representing the G..
A. r. post here, 35 members of the
W. f. C. and nearly 100 ex-service
men and Legionairs.
The services were impressive,
serving not only as an occasion
for the presentation Of the GER
tificate but also as a celebration
of the birthday Of the great
George Washington. Frequent
mention of these facts were made
by the speakers in bringing out
the purposes of the services. DR..
Dennis Sullivan, as post COM
mander made the opening re-
marks. Rev. Bast gave prayer
Miss Esther Grams a reading, and
Mayor Thad Fuller gave an adj
dress. The singing of the French
national hymn, the "Marseillaise'
and the Star Spangled Banner, -
with the benediction ended the
program.
ut is an exceptional honor to
be privileged to address you upon
this occasion which calls to mind
of every living man and woman,
yes and child too, the valient
deeds that were performed by
Americas illustrious sons in the
cause of Liberty and Justice
said Commander Sullivan in op-
ening.
This day it is fitting that while
ccmmemorating the birth of our
first president, we also review
afresh those heroes who, in the
line Of duty, gave to the world at
large, their own lives in order
that others might live.
Il am reminded of that day in
June 1917 when the first conting-
ent of the A. f. F. arrived in
France, of the first cheers that
arose from the heart of every man
woman and child Of that great
Republic, and Of how, upon his
arrival in Paris, our esteemed
com m a n d er-in-chief, General
Pershing, visited the grave of the
French General in l776, and, ech-
oeing the lasting gratitude of the
American people, as pledge for
the future. said, Lafayette, we
are here So today, in voiclng
the sympathy and coincidence of
every member of the American
Legion, whose greatness of pur-
pose is as truly great as its MEM
bership, l would say to you, Faith
ers and Mothers, we are here
Eve are here, united in pur-
pose, not only to preserve on such
an occasion as this, but for all
times, the memories and incidents
of our association in the great
war. We are here to commemor-
ate forever the deeds of the dead
as we'll as the living and most Of
all to see to it that what your dear
ones fought and died for, whose
sacrifices secured the victory,
shall be preserved, protected and
cherished
Mayor Fuller said that this was
perhaps the greatest occasion that
he had ever had or ever would
have to be privileged to address.
1--WE fail to realize the great
ness Of this occasion. We are
here in memorial service to pay
due tribute to those of our own
boys who gave their lives. l
knew them we'll, some of them in
timately, and have had fuller
realization of the extent Of the
sacrifice which they have made.
But we can never know the magni-
tude Of it. The veterans Of the
civil war, who we have here with
US can never know it. The veter-
ans of 1776 cannot know the sac
rifice of those who died for the
principles upon which this gov
ernment was founded. Washing
ton, throughwhose stupendous ef-
forts and those of his fellowmen,
the constitution and principles in
the foundation of this country
were brought forth, did not make
the supreme sacrifice which these
boys have done, that Of giving =
life.
"They have that love for the
stars and stripes which is born Of
realization Of the principles and
fundamentals Of our government.
Those who are back with us have