Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-06-07
WATERvIlLE HONOR ONE OF
SONS WHO FELL FIGHTING IN
WORLD CONFLICT OVERSEAS

One Of the most impressive slsntS
ever seen in Waterville was the MIL
itary funeral of Chester j. Lessaro'
which was held at the st. FRANCIS dc
Sales church Monday morning at ~
O'Clock. The solemnity of the occa-
sion was felt by all and brought
new feeling of what the boys OF wa
terville experienced while across the
seas, 5000 miles from home. Inc
stores were closed for a half an hour
during the funeral exercises and when
the cortege passed through the
streets on it's way to the church'
every head was uncovered in testl-
mony of respect to the deceased.
Flags. too, We're flying on the line OF
march and as he passed, mutely flung
their blessing to the youthful soldier
who died that they might freely wave
The remains in the flag draped box
were taken from the Armory where
they had lain in state during the
night and placed on a caisson for the
march to the church. The procession
was led by Capt. William II. Murray,
former Captain of Company II, with
Fred Poirier, first sergeant of Com
pany II as aide de camp. Then came
Drew's Waterville band followed by
a firing squad. then the body of the
deceased on caisson drawn by tour
beautiful gray horses. escorted by the
bearers and the color guards. A large
automobile filled with floral emblems
next found a place and this was fol-
lowed by eight automobiles filled with
relatives of the dead soldier and last
Iy large company of eX-service men
in khaki.
of Sergt Felix LeClaire In the squad
We're Sergt. William Holmes, Ser
geant Eddie Bernier, Sergt. Alfred
Luce, Corp. Clovis Joseph, Privates j.
c. Murray, Amadie Trahan. Victor
Labrie. and Harold Marshall. The
pail bearers We're in charge Of Sergt
Alfred Castonguay, Corp. Eddie Car
ey, Privates Joseph Roy. Emile Boil
due. Raymond Hebert, Joseph Mich
aud. Arthur Gamache and Joseph
Charland. The colors came next. the
standard being carried by Sergt
George Langley and the Legion colors
by Placide Ggne. The color guards
were Thomas George and Louis Mar
chetti.
Leading the four horses attached
to the caisson were Sergt. Ralph c.
Blunt. and Privates Eddie York, Jo-
seph Moreau and John Romeo. while
riding on the caisson were Alfred
Carey and Edward T. Brown.
rh<
was up Common to Main to Elm to
the st. Francis de Sales church where
the impressive services We're held.
The church was crowded to the doors.
After the services the procession re-
formed and marched to the cemetery
where the remains were laid at rest
after their long journey.
During the entire route the band
played the solemn funeral march and
streets. 1t was beautiful and i'm
pressive sight and yet filled with
sadness. Just before the procession
left the church, the pupils of the
Western avenue school marched UP
Elm street on the sidewalk with the
colors leading and stood in reverence
attitude as the funeral procession
passed. They We're in charge of the
principal of the school, Mrs Laura
Hall.
At the cemetery. after the remains
had been consigned to their last rest
ing place salute was fired by the
firing squad. and taps were blown by
Earl Eldridge at the grave and echoed
by Louis Ferland. formerly bugler of
Company IT, and the body of Ches err
Lessard rested under the skies of his
own country. America, for which he
gave his life.