The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-04-07
A Pleasing and
Glorious Occasion

State Hospital No. 4, last Sunday al
ternoon, in honor of the ex-service
men being treated in that institution,
was carried out fully and completely,
in every detail, and proved to be most
interesting and impressive to- the
thousands who were in attendance.
Estimates as to the number IN at
tendance vary all the way from 5000
to 5000, and as many hundred cars
inside the hospital grounds as there
were thousands of people present. In
other words, the number of cars park
cd in the grounds during the ceremo-
nies is estimated at from 500 to 800.
Anyway, all the people and cars nee
essary to make it one big, glorious
occasion were present, and everyone
seemed particularly pleased to. oe
there, while at the same, time lndl-
eating in their countenances that the
occasion was one of unusual import
ance and solemnity.
While thousands were gathering IN
the Hospital grounds, visiting ex-ser-
vice men were gathering at the court
house, from which point they took up
the line of march to the Hospital
promptly at 2 o'clock, about one hun
dred of them, headed by the splendid
Bonne Terre band. Arriving at the
scene of the flag raising, they circled
the splendid pole that has long graced
the front Of the administration build
ing. The band then preceded the nj
tv or more ex-service men who are
being treated there. and in whose nom
or the ceremonies were being heid,
from their ward, and they occupied
the lower steps of the wide entrance
to the building.
After more splendid music by the
band, DR.. E. E. Drummer, superintend-
ent Of the Hospital, briefly stated the
purpose of the gathering, and intro
dnced Rev. FIR. Kelly, Chaplain of the
local Post, who led in PRAYER, after
which he presented Walter j. StesseL
commander of the Leroy Smithpeter
Post, American Legion Of Carrollton,
Mo-, who presented the flag. Mr..
Stessel spoke, in part, as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies. Gentlemen ana
Comrades:-
II gives me great pleasure to be
here this afternoon as the representa-
tive of the Leroy Smithpeter Post No.
28. Of the American Legion of Car
roilton, Mo-, and it is certainly an add
ed Measure to witness the splendid
manner in which this institution Is
caring for our disabled comrades.
Carrollton and the American Legion
of Carrollton are especially Interested
In tina institution, as there are several
Of our own Carroll county boys here
at the present time.
We wanted to do something that
would show, in part at least, our deep
appreciation of the sacrifice that these
men have made. We were advised
that an American flag would be USE
full and very acceptable gift. We were
glad to hear of this, for surely there is
nothing more beautiful than our own
stars and stripes. To us it is far
more than a stripe Of vari-colored
bunting--it is the nation ITSELF And
as we gaze upon it, thoughts of pa
triotism, loyalty and devotion surge
through us! It is this wonderful flag
that keeps mems motives lofty, even
in mortal combat, making them for
getful of personal gain and of per-
sonal revenge, and actually eager for
personal sacrifice for the country
they serve.
Our" disabled comrades here, whom
we are privileged to honor by pre-
senting this flag, have served well:
Their service and their sacrifice will
not be forgotten, as there is great
organization in America to-day that
is striving to keep fresh in the minds
of the people of this nation the ideals
and principles for which these men
fought. This organization is the
American Legion, and its principles
and ideals are identical with the high
er aims of this nation and its flag.
This flag which we present is symbol
ic of the nations ideals, the American
Legion and the true spirit of loyalty
of these men, who have given so
much. The intrinsic value of this
gift is not great, but the thought that
moves us to give it means that we
have not forgotten these men--that
we respect, appreciate and love them.
So we present this flag to- State
Hospital No. A of Pennington, Mo-, in
honor of our comrades who are now
stationed here, with the hope that 1T
will ever keep fresh in their hearts,
and in the hearts Of all who see 1t, the
noble ideals which it represents. Our
wish is that it will bring good cheer,
inspiration and good luck to all here,
H. G. Evans, chairman of the
Board of Managers of the State Flee
mosynary Institutions, was then in
troduced, and made a very appropri-
ate talk in accepting the flag in behalf
of the institution and the ex-service
men there, many OF whom lad given
even more than life for their coun-
try's good.
-Four ex-service men from the hos
pital, who had previously been Sc
lected, raised the flag and furled its
folds to the breezes, bringing forth an
involuntary burst Of applause from
thousands of hands and many throats
Mrs. o. A. Dewitt, Of Kansas City
State president of the American Lee
gion auxiliary. was the next speaker.