The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1921-09-02
LEGION UNVEILS
BIG MONUMENT
AMERICAN SOLDIER DELEGATES
IN FRANCE ATTEND CEREMONY
HELD IN THEIR HONOR
Monument To American Expeditionary
Forces Dedicated At Fiirey, France,
In Presence Of Whole Countryside;
Marshal Foch Present

AHiSy, S mOnu-
ment to the American expelitionary
forces, the dedication of which was
one of the principal objects of the
present visit of the American Legion
delegation to France, was unveiled
here Sunday by the legion's represent
atlves in the presence of the whole
countryside. Marshal Foch, Louis Bar
thou, minister for the liberated re-
glons, and Ambassador Herrick parti-
clpated in the ceremonies, The PEG
pie of Flirey, who all speak more or
less English as the result of their lony
association with the Americans who
held the sector, were deeply affected
by the memories the unwilling brought
up, laughing and crying by turns as
they exchanged greetings with their
American friends and intently follow
ed the progress of the exercises.
The l%egiOnaires came in automobiles
from Metz, stopping ON the way while
Major John G. Emery, national COM
mander of the American Legion, who
served in the First division in the war,
placed a wreath on the grave of Lieu
tenant Jefferson Feigl, the first officer
or the First division killed in France.
Major Emery himself received from NJ.
BarthOu the insignia of commander of
the legion Of honor and from Marshal
Foch, the war cross with palm, In re-
cognition of his having been wounded
| 011rinQr tho II ohffnr Np <HN 1 n,I
being cited in American army orders.
President Harding, General Pershing,
Ambassador Herrick, Major Emery,
Marshal Foch and M. Barthou were
created honorary citizens of Flirey.
The monument unveiled Sunday.
which is a blunt, obelisk-shaped shaft.
bearing bas-reliefs of two dough
boys, with appropriate inscriptions,
stands beside the road, facing the vii
lage, between the village and the old
fightins front. From the
the trenches and entanglements of the
former battle lines are still visible.
Flirey itself, where every house was
destroyed in the war, is now fully half
rebuilt. ~ttf.f'
In his address at the unveiling, Mai
Jor Emery expressed the hope that the
enemy of 1918 would always remem-
Der three things:
"First-We did not trust them in the
past and won't let them trick us info
lmpotency in the future:
"Second-We know the victory is
ours, Notwithstanding they assume to
think otherwise:
'Thlrd-We must always be. pre-
pared to speak to them in a language
they understand"
Marshal FOch told the leg~iOnnaires
I'VE must be strong and we can
nave strength in peace only as we had
IT in war, through unity
BESIDES the speakers, many notable
persons were present, including Am.
bassadOr Jusserand, Ma ior Genera
Henry L. Allen, commander of the
American forces of occupation.
George w. Wickersham, Mrs. Douglas
Robinson and Mrs. G. NJ. Minor, pres
~ldent-general of the Daughters of the
American Revolution.
Major Emery brought the mayor of
f1lrey an autographed photograph o.
President Harding inscribed ''To the
people of F1irey, with cordial greet
ingS from the United States 70 France.
This will hang in the one-room wood
en- shack which at present serves Fir
ey as city hall, school, %postoffice and
telegraph office.
After the ceremonies the officials of
the legion went to Etain, the home Of
former President Poincare, to dedicate
a monument to the civilians there who
were executed by the Germans. The
ex-president received them in person.
The party returned to Metz for the
night.