The Mankato free press., 1920-06-18
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That Americans have learned to
love the hag more than ever was
thoroughly demonstrated yesterday in
beautiful Flag day services conducted
by the Mankato Lodge of Elks at
Sibley Park. in which hundreds of
people took part despite the swelter-
ing heat of the day. The very atmos-
phere seemed to be permeated with
a reverence and devotion for the Stars
and Stripes. in a more marked degree
than for years. 1t would appear that
since the boys have returned from
overseas, Old Glory means more TO
the American people, and has now be-
come q sacred emblem, symboliZing
freedom for the whole world. II was
indeed an inspiring sight to see the
hundreds Of school children each
wake of the lodge of Elks who car
ried large banner just to the rear
of the Sandon Band which led the
parade. Lorentz Post No. IL Ameri
can Legion and the members of the
local Knights of Columbus brought
up the rear of the parade.
Draped from the gnarled old
branches of giant oaks to the rear
of the speakers stand on Sibley Mound
with the dark foliage of the trees made
a pleasing background to the affairs
and stations placed on the platform
for the Elks services.
The ceremonies on Sibley Mound
inlm ediately following the parade,
which formed near the park entrance
and marched to the speakers stand,
were opened by flag raising in charge
of Edward Ario. commander Glenn H.
war veterans.
Presentation of Colors.
The next number on the program
was the presentation of stand OF
colors to the members of Lorentz
Post No. IL American Legion by the
knights of Columbus lodge. This
banner is indeed fine piece Of work,
pure silk in fabric, with stars worked
through and through the banner in
are fringed with gold. This was the
American flag. The presentation of
post colors were to have been pre-
sented, but did not arrive in time
for the same.
Attorney John e. Regan on behalf
of the Mankato Knights Of Columbus
lodge made the following presentation
speech, and the banner was turned
over to the post by Charles T. Taylor.
Mr.. Regan's address follows:
Soldiers of America: When the
call to. arms was sounded over the
Nation and you went forth from your
home and loved ones to do battle that
the ideals of your country would
stand unshaken and that the flag you
love would continue upward, leading
in the march of civilization, there was
a feeling throughout this broad land
of security, and We at home knew,
that SO long as there lived one man
who wore the khaki the stars and
stripes would still be unfurled to the
breezes, a challenge to the rest of
the world, that at least one land be-
lfeved In the true democracy.
"You marched down the streets to
martial music with a smile on your
lips, but your hearts were sad, you
life and only God alone knew whether
you would ever return. At the head
of your line Of march your eyes rest
ed upon flag and into your hearts
there crept feeling of peace and a
voice within you said, Lead on OLD
Glory, Lead on, wherever you go go,
and SO long as life shall inhabit this
mortal frame your enemies are my
enemies and shall be made to bow
UcIOic luCC. anu d"ohChCu Ill
tour hearts a new love for your flag
which was reflected in your every
look and act, SO much so that 1t was
and is still felt by the people of the
whole nation. Today The sight OF
our flag causes us to swell with pride
and bring tears to our eyes for we
love 1t second to God alone. When
that bugle sounded throughout the
land the different organizations real
fha% fhn nf not MO q
in eopardy,
"The Knights of Columbus felt the
call as a personal one and fully real
izing their responsibility as an Amer
ican organization; they followed you
into the training camps, went with
you over seas, followed you onto the
field of battle. rendered what aid and
comfort was in their power in your
hnur of trial, returned home with
and assistance to your disabled COM
rades.
when you went away there were
those with you whom providence had
selected to pay the supreme price to
make the supreme sacrifice, that our
ideals might continue to dominate the
world.
eign land, and in that Ear off land
friends gather around and strew their
graves with flowers, and taps are
sounded, graves to which they went
In devotion to the flag.
1--WE cannot strew flowers on their
graves but we can and do send them
a message of heartfelt gratitude into
the great beyond. we can and do
cherish their memories for 1t is
written upO the hearts of grateful
humanity.
To-day in their honor the Knights