The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-05-31
Impressive Ceremonies
at Newport
Continued from Page l

NiOil thSbi VA N''>
graves of the fallen heroes so
peacefully and quietly resting in
immortal repose.
at is quite fitting that we in
New England-New England his
torically designated as the cradle
of liberty, should join in the uni
versal custom of observing this
memorial day with appropriate ex-'
erciseS. Your committee has pre-
pared for you a very complete
program. | feel assured that the
message it carries will stamp upon
your hearts an impressive token in
memory of our hero dead"
Judge Leonard J. Wing of
Rutland was then introduced by
Dr.. Somers. He said in part:
81 am not unmindful of the fact
that in coming before you today,
| am following a custom of long
standing in this community, as
well as in other communities of
this great nation, in discussing
patriotic subjects. 1t is fitting
that one day in the year our
people should pause and do hon.
age to the heroic living and pay
their grateful tribute to their
martyred dead. 1t is extremely
fitting, say, that today we should
gather in memory of those men
and women who have had so large
part in making America the
greatest nation on the face of the
globe.
at is well, upon this day, that
| we, of another generation, should
pause and consider the effect that
your patriotism, more than half
century ago, has had upon our
lives and upon the events which
we have witnessed such a short
time since. 1t is we'll for us to
make sure that our dead have not
died in vain.
"The net result of the valor and
sacrifice of these dead men is the
most prosperous, the most vigor-
Gus, the most progressive and al
together the happiest free people
ever grouped together under one
flag, since The tides of time be-
gan to run. And that is suffi-
rient reply to those who question
the worth Of their sacrifices and
the price with which they bargain
ed with death.
"And. in their quiet beds, the
sleepers beneath the flowers would
know that the verdict of time was
theirs; that they had died, not in
vain, but for a noble and precious
and altogether wonderful guerdon
the assured permanence of free
government, and the assured per-
petuity of the institutions and !
he might and rcnown of this Re-
public; which may God always |
keep safe in the hollow of his al |
mighty hand.
But our celebration of this |
Memorial Day would not be en-
tirely complete without some ref
erence or recognition of the larg-
est veterans organization, com. |
posed of participants in our last /
,reat conflict.
"The American Legion, organic
ed Immediately following the
close of the late war, to perpetu-
ate and maintain those ideals and
standards of government which its
members, by their willingness TO
give their all, preserved in the
time of dire need.
81 commend you, fellow citizens
for the kindly aid and interest
which you felt in these boys but
a short period of four of five
years ago. They are willing now,
TO assist in the fight of youl
battles in peace, as they fought
Jour battles in war These men,
who, when the need arose, We're
not found wanting, these men
Who heard and needed their coun-
rvs call at d time when that
country was in distress, may now
be counted upon to perform their
full share in civic life. as citizens
Of this great Republic that they
fought to save.
"To you of the American Lee
gion who are present let me say
that gold cannot buy, nor power
or influence obtain for you the
honor which YOU have in being
member of hat great organiza-
ton. Though, in after life, YOU
way, at the hands of the state and
nation receive all the horoTs
which may come to any citizen Of
this great Republic, and tho you
may be decorated by all the or 'ers
that foreign potentatc may have
she power of comforting upon You
your greatest honor, your highest
decoration will be that button.
that badge of your membership in
the ranks of the great American
Legion"
Major Grout said; 81 would if
could impress upon this audience
that this is Memorial day. Not
TO memorabilia the living but the
lead. a day IN memory of those
who made sacrifices and gave
heir lives for their country. The
exercises and ceremonies of the
lay are by the living for the de-
parted. For more than so years
Memorial day has been observed
by the veterans of the Civil war
assisted by the Relief
Corps. Year by year the interest
n the day has been waning. A
'ew years ago all turned out, took
part and helped on. Now, only .
Few seem interested. The e. A. r
Veterans are well night numbered
The schools and the school child
.oo bavo Lot iptoract aD6 rho |