The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-11-16

WHY W. R. c. OBSERVANCE
Rssson for Exercises at Y. M. c. A.
on Armistice Day.

on Armistice Day.
Editor OF the Banner:---I was asked
by comrade Of the Grand Army why
the woncns relief corps observed
Armistice Day, VIII you give us
space In your newspaper to explain
! our reasons? Perchance, there are
others who would like to know, ney-
er realizing how necessary it is TO
keep alive patriotism that has been
kindled IN our foreign born citizens,
but no more in our native citizens
If the exhibition we had on Arm.s-
tice Day night, when the w. r.. G..
were having their exercises in the
y. N, G. a. is to be considered one OF
patriotism then we can look for al
most anything IN the future. When
young men and boys have so little
respect for themselves or any one
else to disturb an au ence with tin
cans and horns by tramping on tin
roofs or rushing against doors, dis
turbing those who had met that they
might keep that night in patriotic
manner, we confess they have gotten
away from the ideas of those who
called Armistice Day holiday for
all.
The name Women's Relief Corps
was first used in connection with our
organization In 1896 when Corps
was organized in Portland, Me-, which
is stIll in existence. The work OF the
American women al through the war
between the North and the South
was that OF relief. Soldiers Aid So
cieties were formed from New Eng
land to the farthest west. Millions of
dollars were raised and spent and
thousands Of lives were saved through
the direct agencies of those loyal and
patriotic women OF the north during
the four years OF struggle.
A decade passed. A financial cricis
came upon the country Siclpe IS, old
wounds, lack of work bitter dissapoint
ments began to make cruel ravages in
the veterans ranks. Women in wod
ow weeds went about seek ng work
in the name Of soldier husbands and
there was none Where then, could
they turn for help but the loyal won
en- Of America who had stood by them
in that long four years Of struggle.
Commander in Chief Van Der Wort
of the G. A. K. travelled exten siyely
during his administration thus bring
ing him into contact with the Wom-
eas' AuXiliaries. Recognizing the
work done by them he enlisted the
National Tribune OF Washington D. c.
causing it to be circulated through
every state to encourage Auxiliaries
in their work
In 1883 the commander in chief is
sued call to al Auxiiaries to meet
July 25 and &c at Denver. There
National Association was organized.
50 women being present 4 vote wa
taken at that time that all women of
good moral character Irrespective OF
their relationship to the soldier should
be el gible to membership,
From that small beginning has
grown an organization numbering to
day 10000 and the work of the Wo
mems Relief Corps has just begun. We
not only strive to relieve the needs
of the soldier and his dependant ones
but our ear is ever open to the cry
Of any deserving person in distress.
Child Welfare is one OF the appeals
that finds ready response in every
corps.
The teaching of Amer,canization
to foreign born citizens is another
branch OF our work Placing Of flags
in the schools and churches in every
is another The proof of
this is found in eery church and !
school in this fair town Of ours. We
hope by doing this to teach our youth
TO reverence our flag, We also strive |
by our example that we observe every
day that is set aside in observance !
Of some great deed done, or some |
great life lived. that they too, may |
keep the spirit OF the day.
When the call came to observe AT
mistice Day, il came not to a select /
few but to all alike. We believe we I
a fitting program of sol
smn day. To many Of our friends !
who came to hear what Professor Cru
Cru had to say of his years spent in
service over there, also what Rev.
Raw Booth had to say regarding the
significance OF Armistice Day as 1t
comes around this year He spoke of
he burial of the Unknown Dead Sol
iler the anxiety of the whole world
-or the resu' t of the conference that
vas 10 open in Washington the next
lay. You and know out Of that gath.
ering of men from all the world,
iangs the fate of all nations. Because
we believe in all these things is our
answer for observing Armstice Day. I
Mrs. + A Marsden
Bennington. VT, November l6, 1921.