Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1920-07-09
CROWD OF 1000
CREETS EDWARDS
Commander of Department OF
Northeast at Grafton
John Barrett, Lieut.. Gov. Stone, F. H
Rabbit and e. w. Gibson Speak
Public Dedication.

Although rain fell most OF the day, 1000
people attended Graftons Fourth of July
celebration Saturday. The memorial play.
ground and bandstand were dedicated dur.
ing the afternoon, addresses were made
by Maj. Gen. Clarence r. Edwards, com.
mandcr of the Northeastern department
Lieut.. Gov. Mason S. Stone in the alb
sence of Gov. p. w. Clement; John Bar
rett director general of the Pan-Americau
union, a native of Grafton; Fred o. Mer-
riheld, president of the Grafton Memorial
and Improvement association; Frederick
IL. Babbitt, of Bellows Falls, candidate
for governor, and Maj. +. w. Gibson of
Brattleboro, candidate for congress.
Gen. Edwards, his staff and Mrs. Ed
wards, reached Bellows Falls at ll.30 Sat
urday morning and were escorted by three
squads of the American Legion to the
public square, where several hundred cit
liens gave him an enthusiastic reception.
Mr.. Babbitt welcomed the distinguished
visitor and Mr.. Barrett, who, in turn, in
troduced Gen. Edwards. In his Bellows
Falls address, Gen. Edwards paid COM
plimcnt to the service of Vermont men in
the war.
When the party neared Grafton, they
were met, despite the rain, by an as
sembage of 40 floats, all gaily decorated.
Gen Edwards was SO profoundly impressed
that he insisted upon leaving his car and
marching in the parade to the center of
town, escorted by his aides and the Amer
lean Legion behind the band. q.
At the new bandstand, an artistic crea-
ton of concrete, the party was met by
Lieut.. Gov. Stone, Col. johnson and Maj.
Gibson. Together, they reviewed the par
pde. Following dinner, the bandstand was
officially dedicated. 1t bears the names of
| Grafton men who fought in the various
'"ars of the nation-l5 in the World war,
IL in the Civil war and 9 in the Revou-
ionary war Brief addresses were made
here by Gen Edwards, Lieut. Gov. Stone
and Mr.. Barrett. Gen. Edwards paid a
tribute to the loyalty of Grafton, which
cut of 600 people had sent 10 into the
World war.
A feature of the exercises at the dedi-
ration of the Fairgrounds was the unfurl-
ing of flag by the patriotic women of the
town Mr. Mortified called the assembly
to order and introduced Mr.. Barrett, hon
orary president of the association, as
chairman of the day.
In his remarks, Mr.. Barrett explained
the meaning of the memorials and re-
viewed the history of the movement, which
he had launched and the citizens had
pushed to completion. He declared it
would be fine if every Vermont town
would remember the ex-service men in al
similar manner.
Vermont is turning a curve" said Mr..
Barrett. "You are coming into redeyel- |
opment and new growth. You are en-
tering an era of new progress that will |
yet bring you prosperity and influence
beyond your dreams This is no time |
to leave the state but rather a time tol
remain and participate in the wonderful
development that is coming"
Lieut.. Gov Stone extended the official
''elcome of the state to Gen. Edwards
for Gov. Clement, reading message of
greeting from the chief executive and eX
, laining his unavoidable absence from
Grafton and the state.
I'm his address, Mai. Gen Edwards
urged universal training for citizenship
and recommended making the army and
navy the leading agencies. He would have
every boy spend year in the army or
ravy. probably the 10Th year, and he
would have the idea of service extended to
the girls as well.
Fireworks at the Fairgrounds in the
evening and dancing in the town hall
brought the celebration to a close.