The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-09
M E N w o M E N
 A ND T H IN G $

Ailc QuC6llOn O1 piiHBA HIS hOAhS N-'~ bodies of the soldier boys who died in France for their country think should be left to the parents and the loved ones to settle for themselves.
 For quite a while now the papers have contained the account of the home coming of the remains of the gallant lads who at the call of their country, crossed the ocean to join forces with the allies to beat back the conquering Hun.
 have been shocked at the greed of those who have been willing to profiteer in any way on the loved ones in transporting or burying the men who risked their all for the sake of America; and yet there have been many fragrant cases brought to life in New York city where greedy trat- fickers have been willing to take toll of patriotism.
 There have been cases. too, where small attention has been given to the bodies passing through the cities on their way to their final resting place, but I am glad that the Amer ican Legion is making & determined effort to see to it that this is reme- died by furnishing a proper military guard when it Is possible.
 I was at springville Sunday and had chance to see how the whole town and the surrounding country turned out to honor the remains of Private Houston Walker, a St. Clair county boy, who was inferred with military honors. It was an inspiring sight to see the streets crowded, the church overflowing with friends, and the long procession which followed the body of the young hero to his last resting place in the cemetery which crowns a nearby hiil.
 Private Houston Walker met his death at Chateau -Thierry in the sum mer of 1918, and 1t was a strange CO., incidence that Borden Burr, who mar ried in his home town, should have been in 50 yards of him when the shell exploded which snuffed out his young life. The father and mother of Houston gave another son, but he was spared to return to be a comfort to them. Every heart went out to them In loving sympathy as they sat through the funeral services flanked by their living sons and daughters.
 The exercises were held in the springville Methodist church, of which Houston was member. It was filled an hour before the services began and more were on the outside than on the inside. The church had ferns and flowers and flags, evidene- ing the fact that patriotism is not dead in Springville in peace times, but that gratitude still dwells in the hearts of it's people.
 It was the first military burial l had seen since I was boy. The cof- fin was covered with the American | lldS, ana dS It T0SJSQ DSHCdlu tnC pul- pit, the guard of honor with the flag of Post No. of the Birmingham American Legion and the standard of the post were placed at it's head and foot while the detail of soldiers stood at attention during the funeral services, which were conducted by Dr. J. B. Holmes, who made a stirring address, while Rev. o. L. Milliken led in fervent prayer, while read appropriate selections from the Bible. Special music had been prepared for the occasion. in which the choir, quartet solosit and aggregation took part Arthur Greenwood of Post No. 1, Birmingham American Legion had charge of the military escort which had come out to do honor to Private Houston Walker of Company c. 167th infantry, Rainbow division. There were about 25 men in uniform who followed the body to the cemetery and after the benedic- | tion was pronounced they fired a 1 military salute as the last honor to l the sleeping dead. It was an impress sive hour and men and women went to their homes sobered and saddened at what they had seen, but proud of the fact that one of their own towns men had died in fighting for his country.