The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-11-16

farmers here and that Is perhaps why
the Grange was the first order to give
II. a recention." He introduced Chas.
lC CLEVELAND. Master Of the Grange to
res,,ond for that body. Mr.. Cleve-
land said that If 1t had not been for
the food supplies from our farms the
war never could have been won. He
said that in the near future the Ameri-
oan Legion was to be s. fed by the
Grange and this ELECTED loud applause
from the former soldiers. He refer
rod to his teaching activities in Show
hogan and that four of the fathers
of those boys were now Gold Star
men. He urged the boys to make
the most of life when they were
young.
Clyde II. Smith, first selectmen of
Skowhegan was the next speaker. Mr..
Smith responded for The Legion and
the town" and brilliantly replied for
Skowhegan. He said, I'VE cannot
meet on this day without reviewing
those historic sacrifices" and referred
with tenderness to the pictures in
memory's hall of those faces whom
we cannot see. with hearts over
flowing with emotion we cherish
them" said Mr. Smith, "but we meet
here for the living and as we our
selves live so will our memories en-
dure." He referred to the almost
forgetfulness of the people when the
struggle for dollars began, mentioned
the necessity of faith and the impor-
lance of building well ands founding
we'll. He spoke upon the spirit of
confidence and the principle of JUS
tice. congratulating the boys for the
part they played In making history.
The next speaker was Prof. r. w.
Leighton, Principal of Skowhegan high
school and president of the Milburn
Club. 1t will be recalled that the
Skowhegan football team played with
the Madison team Saturday afternoon
with the score at TT and Prin. Leigh
ton with the welfare of his boys up
permost in his mind was strongly key
ed up over the football situation. 1t
was only natural then that this learn
ed gentleman should confine the great
er part of his remarks to something
along football spirit. He however
drew a splendid lesson in the football
scrimmage in comparison with war
time efforts and he believed the same
spirit to conquer was manifest in the
conduct of Co. E, as 1t was in the s.
H. S. football team. He spoke briefly
for the Milburn Club and extended
the congratulations and good wishes
for further prosperity for the Post
| from the Club.
Carleton P. Merrill, president of the
Rotary Club, although overwhelmed
by the disaster of the afternoon, he
said, very graciously responded for
the Rotarians. In introducing him
Col. Marston said that he thought Mr..
Merrill was thoroughly eligible to
the Office which he holds in the Club,
as the Club slogan is Service above
SELF" and he belived this to be a
true characteristic of Mr.. Merrill. Mr..
Merrill only spoke briefly and with
his usual good humor said that even
though the war was over he was still
fighting, for his boy wanted to keep
his old army overcoat and as result
he had been fighting ever since the
war closed to keep the moths out OF
it, He thanked the Post for the hon
or they had conferred upon the Rotary
| Club through him that evening.
The last speaker of the evening was
Congressman John f. Nelson of Au-
gusta who gave wonderful address
replete with patriotism and enthusi-
assn. He told the story of the men
who borrowed the dress suits for the
evening to wear on a patriotic oc-
casion and illustrated this story with
appropriate gestures since the bor-
rowed suits were found to contain
Coolies" He paid liberal tribute
to the part the present members
of Simon Peters Post performed in
| the great conflict and said that no
nobler record was made than that of
| the Skowhegan men. Congressman
Nelson kindly referred to the proceed
Ing speakers who had gathered there
to celebrate the great victory. The
efforts of our boys in the war taught
he said that chivalry had not passed
from this earth. He spoke OF the
way we went into the war unprepar-
ed and that no one believed we were
nation in one sense of the word. He
referred to the unparalleled uprising
and the voluntary enlistment of aliens
! who sealed their faith in this country
with their blood. Congressman Mel
son went back slightly In history tt
the founding of our country and q
government of liberty which became
established by our ancestors who
came to this country to make it theil
fatherland He said IT was the In.
SEPARATION Of the ideals Of America
that inspired the Grand Army mel
and the same inspiration of our hovs
In the World War who went forth tC
keep those ideals intact. Mr.. Mel
son paid wonderful tribute to the
American flag which he said stands
for the nast. future and soul Of Amer
/ lea. His tribute to the Stars and
Stripes was a wonderful paragraph OF
inspiration, and no reference in Skow
hogan to our national emblem was
ever more beautifully phrased or moro
e1oquently given. In paying a tri
butte to our boys. Mr.. Nelson said W.
sent boys. the cleanest and best II
the world. behind them the courage
of other victories. Those who fel
are the knights of tho living God ant
will he our bows foreyermore though