Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-05-27
MEMORIAL EXERCISES
IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
High School Honors Memory OF
Thirteen Who Made the Su-
preme Sacrifice.

Memorial Day was observed today in
each of the public schools of the city with
special patriotic exercises.
At the Wilmington High School, which
had its program this morning. the day
had personal significance, for most
prominent among those Americans who
have died in the service of their country
since its formation, whose memory was
eulogixed this morning, were the thirteen
students Of the school who died In l9l7-lS
during the World War.
They were Jacob Ferdinand Speer,
Thomas w Eaton, John l.. Fisher, Watson
B. Lenderman, Harlan ]. Palmatary, John
Stewart, Robert Stuart, Jr., Lawrence
Witsil, Joseph Harrington, Allen X. Stelle,
Louis X. Thorpe, n J. Derickson. and
Lawrence Roberts.
The tablet which bears their names, at
the entrance to the school was this morn
ing decorated with white and red peonies
and cvergreens. and the graves of those
who are buried here were visited and
decorated by special committee of stu
dents
The grave of former Principal A. II.
Berlin, in Wilmington and Brandywlne
cemetery was decorated by the Senior
Class. The money for these flowers was
raised BY individual contributions from
the students.
In few opening remarks Acting
Principal James A. Barklev pointed 10
the day as one of triumph and Joy, and not
Of mourning. I'VE are here today to honor
the memory of our heroic dead, he sand,
''and we must take up the work that they
cannot. so that their lives were not
sacrificed in vain" Mr. Barkley intro
4 al n hra dav
James Harrison Wilson, q veteran OF the
Civil War. and commander of the Ameri-
can troops during the Boxer Rebellion
in China. and George B. Miller, president
of the State Board of Education.
General Wilson's address was brief but
most interesting, and full of encouraging
remarks for the students. His opening was
a witty anecdote of Civil War days.
'This land of ours is beautiful to live IN,
lend in, stand in, and give III, said Gen
eral Wilson, ''but conflicting inclinations
have no room In it. There are immense
advantages and plenty of work IN 1T Tor
those who have courage, intelligence and
enterprise. be said. He pointed TO the great
amount Of work that was still to be per
formed In China, which abounds III natural
resources. Mexico, Central America and
South America, in the way of railroad COO
stulction. mining. etc. All of these fields
are open to enterprising Americans, he
said, and students should never think
there is no work left for them to do.
Honors aad fame are of small import IN
comparison to the fsithfui performance OF
,luty. he reminded them. General Wilson
maid high tribute to West Point and the
Annapolis Naval Academy and stated
thev were the best institutions Tor pre-
paring Young men for life.
Mr.. Millers address was equally brief,
and interesting. He stated that Delaware
was proud of her two older citizens, Cen
eral Wilson and Hon. George Gray, both
Of whom have played great parts IN her
history. He mentioned the significance
Of the dav IS tribute of devotion TO those
who have sacrificed their lives for this
country. He paid tribute TO DR.. Clifford J.
Scott, retiring superintendent OF schools,
snd said that his departure will be great
loss for Wilmington and Delaware. Both
city snd State have been much benefited
along educational lines since his coming,
he said.
Paul Milliken, chairman of the sopho-
more class, in whose charge the program
was, read the American-franco Children
League letter.
This gave brief resume OF France
condition at the time of the War. Ii
explained the wearing of the poppy as al
external tribute to the Americans who died
while aiding France, and ct the same timt
a help to the destitute French orphan;
and widows, by whom they were made.
Music was an entertaining feature o.
the exercises Several songs were suns
bv the school. The sophomore class gave
a quartet and ehoruses. Miss Mildred
Stout rendered a piano solo, and tht
orchestra gave the selection, Crane
American Fantasy. Miss Grace Ellsor
q. q recitation, as did Miss Fiorencs
Whitley.
among those seated on the platform
were four veterans of the Civil War, A. J
Rurnford. Mr.. Alexander, G. S. Woodrow
and William H. Middleton, two of whom
served under General Wilson, and twt
veterans of the World War.
Mr.. Barkley announced that the senlo
play will be given on Thursday and Fri
dsv of next week. Haydn Conner, mem
ber Of the class, gave short talk on TIN
event
The exercises concluded with the sing
ing of The Star Spangled Banner" anc
the salutation of the flag.
In each of the grammar school
the dav was observed with programs ar
ranged by the various teachers, this morn
ing and afternoon. The pupils will TAX
an important part in the decoration o
graves on Monday, which is hohda,
in all the schools.