The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-01-10
BANQUET FOR THE
VISITING DICTIONARIES

The Marion County Post of the
American Legion was host Monday
evening at the armory at banquet,
honoring the legionaires from all over
the state who are meeting in execu-
tive session IN Ocala
The lower floor of the armory was
converted into a banquet hall, seven
long tables being arranged in V
shape with two tables running from
the apex of the V, down the venter.
Poinsettias were used in quantities as
decorations, the glowing red of the
blossoms intermingled with feathery
asparagus fern. In the center of each
table was large poinsettia head and
running from this down the center of
the table to both ends were streamers
of fern with here and there one of
The gorgeous blossoms. The outer
edge of the platform at the end of the
room was also banked with the same
lowers and fern and at each place was
a sprig of holly as buttoniere.
At seven o'clock the doors were
thrown open and the hosts and their
guests took their places at the tables,
the table at the center of the apex
being occupied by the master of cere-
monies, Rev. j. j. Neighbour, post
chaplain, and officers of the local post.
A number of the members of the
Woman's Auxiliary to the American
Legion were invited, besides several
of the townspeople.
Arrangements had been made for
serving 225 guests and all of the seats
We're filled and goodly lot of men
were these heroes of the world war
who assembled here in special conven-
ton for making plans and perfecting
those already made that their legion
might be one of the strongest organ
lzatlons in the world. As they trooped
IN, all in civics. with faces happy with
enjoyment of the occasion, and yet
stamped with what only those that
have passed through it may realize,
some still bearing physical signs of
SAAN A~Nc1SOo VA wal, 1O" anu LIl6u Oil
interested spectator, of which there
were many, would hear a word from
| passing guest that they had heard
i of so-and-so, major this or a ser
geant or just one of the rank ana file
who they had known "over there" or
in camp in this country, and who they
had heard from. Truly, it is good to
be a buddy of one of these staunch
Americans.
! A delicious banquet had been pre-
pared by the Woman's Auxiliary and
was served by attractive French
maids. The menu consisted of chick
en- salad, roast pork, cold boiled ham,
sandwiches, pickles and olives. The
dessert was served in French style,
nuts, raisins, candies and apples, each
apple topped with an imitation Amer
lean flag.
The evening ceremonies were In
charge of Rev. Neighbour, toastmas-
ter, and when the guests had finished
eating cigars were passed and an in
| AAA0A@0A Dy AO@dA
talent, was thoroughly enjoyed by the
assemblage, which mostly made mani
fest their pleasure by demanding
numerous encores. AS the smoke be-
gan TO thicken the talks began to
lengthen and as a result the guests
were held enthralled by several fine
after dinner speakers.
At II o'clock as the feast drew to a
close, at the suggestion of the state
commander, Mr.. Sumter L. Lowry, the
assemblage stood at attention for 80
seconds in silent tribute to the mem
ory of those who made the supreme
sacrifice in the world war. Still stand
ing the company sang the first verse
of America.