Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-07-28
iowa PAYS HER
TRIBUTE TO SON
MANY FROM AUDUBON AND VI
CINITY ATTEND MILITARY
FUNERAL AT GLIDDEN

without question the center of at
traction in Iowa Sunday was the mil
itary funeral of Merle D. Hay at
Glidden. Merle was one of the first
three American soldiers to fall in the
world war. His body was returned to
this country some weeks ago. For
period of ten days it has rested in
state with a guard of honor in the
American Legion post hall in Gid
den, named in his honor. Sunday 1t
was laid to rest for the last long
sleep in Westlawn cemetery, Gid
den, within few miles of the place
where he was born in the town from
which he volunteered his services in
the world war. The services were
completely military in character.
Nothing was omitted which properly
belongs to military service of this
character.
Never in the history of Glidden
did so many people assemble for any
purpose as on this occasion. More
than 500 service men in uniform
marched in the funeral cortege. The
great military band of Argonne post
in Des Moines furnished music.
company of ex-service men. From
every border OF the state civilians
and service men came to pay their
respects to this first American mar
tyr in the world war. The block of
ground where the service was held
was perfect mass of humanity and
not to exceed one out of five people
present could get in hearing dis
lance of the platform where the body
of the dead soldier reposed during
the service. On the entire distance
from the school ground where the
funeral service was held to the GEM
etery, a mile and half distant.
both sides Of the road were lined
with people, and in many places the
ranks were several persons in depth.
There was a brief recital of the
fact that eight Glidden young men
decided in May, 1917, that they
would enlist. A splendid reception
was rendered these boys. A meeting
was held in the Methodist church.
There was a great feast. The next
day band headed a procession to
the station, where train carried
the boys TO Des Mofnes. This was
on May and 4. History was made
rapidly after that dare. Merle and
all of his companions save one or
two became members of the same
compafy and the same battalion. On
November Sd following this May re-
ception Merle Hay was killed in ac-
tion in the trenches in France. He
was one of the first three Americans
killed In action in this war. Three
OF these eight youths were killed in
action overseas later, and two of
the others were seriously wounded.
The Germans staged a raid on the
trenches held by Americans on the
morning of November 8, 1917, and
Merle and his two companions were
killed in hand to hand combat. He
was in Company F, Thirteenth In
fantry, First division.
Chaplain Robb, or the 16SthI In
fantry. Iowa's own, made the chief
address. His subject was The
American soldier, hiss faith and his
flag" Robb spoke through a meg
aphone in his efforts to reach as
many of the vast throng as posi-
cessful in his effort. His address
was full Of patriotic fervor. 1t was
a tribute to Merle Hay and to all
other American soldiers who served
with faith and fidelity in this great
war and who to the number of more
than a hundred thousand paid the
supreme sacrifice in the struggle to
preserve liberty and opportunity for
the generations which should fol-
low.