The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-08
POLICE AND.
FIRE BOYS
H0NORED
Decorations for valor Pre-
sented by Colonel Keller at
impressive Ceremony.

Washington's first public cele-
bration to honor the police and
fire departments was held in Gem
trail High School last night. Three
hundred and twenty-six firemen
and eight policemen were deco
rated with gold medals and. valor-
GUS service bars in recognition of
brave and efficient work,
ExtolIed by Colonel Keller.
Engineer Commissioned Charles
Keller, who made the principal
speech of the evening" paid high
tribute to the personnel of the de.
partments. He declared that the
awards should serve as an inspira.
ton.
But the awards are not an in.
centive," he said. Members OF
our police and fire departments
need no incentive to perform acts
of bravery"
The Commissioner declared that
appreciation of valor was next te
valor itself. sI@ 80
The program opened at 8 O'clock
Members of the police and fire
departments, who assembled in the
corridors, marched into the audito
rum. They were loudly applauded
by an enthusiastic audience.
The United States Navy Band, di
| rected by Charles Benter, opened the
program with "Rienzi' as an over
ture. This was followed by a
clarinet solo, "Sonnafnbula," by
Charles Brander, a first musician OF
! the band. "At the Movies" con
|. cluded the first part of the bands
concert. r
i Times Editor Speaks.
Avery c. Marks, jr.. managing
editor of The Washington Times
made a brief address in which he ex
! planned that The Times, in (donat
ing the medals and service bars, was
acting as a representative of the
people Of Washington.
"The Times appears here tonight
only as an agent he said. 1T is
the people Of the city who are giving
these awards"
Mr.. Marks said The Times was
proud to have some part in the
decorating Of these firemen and po
Two additional band selections
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
and Irish and Scotch Melodies. u
followed. The second part of the
concert concluded with a xylophone
solo by Musician Tillinghast.
MOntrOse Quartet Sings.
The Montrose Quartet, famous
throughout the city, was next on
the program. Carolina in the
Morning" and Days Gone" brought
storm of applause. They were
called back several times.
Another selection by the band,
THE Washington Times March, -
followed. There was general ap-
lplause at each selection by the
band and on every number Mr..
Benter was called back for encores.
It was acclaimed a splendid con-
cert.
Robert Lawrence, who directs the
community sings Sunday nights in
the Central High School, put on n
program that contributed much to
the entertainment. For twenty min.
utes he had the audience continual
ly singing and laughing. One fire.
man, unable to control his laughter.
added much to the gayety of the
occasion.
The address of Engineer Com
missioner Charles Keller follow ed
He said in part:
1T becomes my privilege and my
pleasant duty to again participate
in the presentation of awards for
valor and for extraordinary service
to members of the District of Co
lumbia police and fire departments
In these days of extreme business
tension, intense competition even
in the earning of livelihood
thoughts are likely to be centered
wholly upon ourselves, our families
and our business.
1T Is therefore refreshing tc
turn aside for the moment from
such pursuits, and to participate ir
function that is entirely altruistic
designed to be merely an inspira
1ion and a recognition. Apprecia
ton of Valor is next to valor it
self-and in these days, almost III
infrequent of occurrence. Although
we are prone to give to coura gt
and to extraordinary service a pass
ing applause or acclaim, it is sci
dom that our recognition is definite
| tangible, or permanent. 1t is E
| happy occasion indeed that tonight
we may present to our valiant mer
| in blue some small tokens of Wash
ington's appreciation of their work
| THE hero medals and the val
orous service bars to be awarded
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