, 1923-05-03

A new meaning has been given to
memorial day by the National Head
quarters of the American Legion.
AlthO the eX-Service men of the late
war unite each year with the service
men of former wars, they lave not
forgotten the thousands upon thou
sands of "buddies" buried in foreign
lands.
1t is the plan of the National Ex-
ecutiye Committee of the American
Legion to raise a 100000 Over
seas Graves Endowment Fund and
tn DICTIONARIES of Wyoming have
been asked to subscribe $500 Of this
amount. Notice of the plans for
the raising of this fund has but re-
Gently reached the officials OF the
Fred Duncan Post, of this city, and
the matter will be taken up at the
regular meeting of the ~legionnaires
on the 18th of this month.
w. j. Wehrli, Adjutant of the
American Legion in Wyoming, has
issued a bulletin to the American
Legion posts OF Wyoming to do
their share in the raising of the en-
dowment fund and pleads the cause
as follows:
There are $4,000 of our buddies
buried on foreign soil. The U. S.
Government is solicitious of the care
of these graves, but of course. doe
not pay the personal tribute which
every true American is accustomed
to observe on Memorial Day. Me
mortal Day il sacred to the memories
of those who fought and died for the
Republic and every true American
observes this day with special rever
ence to our departed veterans. While
American citizens as a whole may
faithfully keep the trust in so far as
the ex-seryice men buried on Amer
lean soil are concerned, 1t Is OBJ
vious that the care of graves over
seas must rest primarily with an or
ganiZation of veterans of the World
War.
We may build monuments: We
may erect memorial buildings: we
may design and execute master
pieces of sculpture: we may paint
great pictures; all TO commemorate
and keep alive in our hearts and the
hearts OF generations TO come the
deeds OF heroism of our comrades.
but in the final analysis such evil
dences OF tribute are cold and i'm
personal. There is only one means
OF continuing an active. living. per
sonal tribute to our departed COM
rades and that is by the true oh
%servance of Memorial Day. II can
be accomplished only through the
tender. personal ministration of
placing each year a tribute upon
every grave The Overseas Graves
Endowment Fund will successfully
provide this living and lasting per
sonal tribute and will continue for
all time the most Appropriate cere-
mony of honor and respect to those
who CAV their lives in the defense
of their country.
Mornings quota of the Graves
Endowment Fund Is $500. Every
Post in the State should contribute
TO this sum. 1t should also be borne
in mind that individual contributions
and contributions from organize
lions of all kinds will be gratefully
received. All contributions of sl.0O
or more Will be acknowledged in the
American Legion Weekly. Mall
your checks to w. J. wehrli. Depart
ment Adjutant. Casper. Wyoming.
Tho American Legion, Depart
ment of Wyoming. has Issued n
bulletin on the observance OF Me
mortal Day" which advises that
Memorial day should be kept sac
red to tho memory OF the dead and
deprcclatcs races. athletic exhibit
tons. rodeos. shows and other
amuscrnents on that day. The bulle-
Tin follows:
Memorial day is an American
holiday created shortly after the
civil War for the purpose of hon
oring The memory of those who died
in tho service OF their country. An
extract taken from the first pro-
clamation setting forth May 80 a.
Memorial day reads:
I'VE should guard their graves
with sacred vigilance. All that the
consecrated wealth and taste OF the
nation can add to their adornmcnt
and security Ia but n fitting tribute
TO the memory OF our slain defend
ors.'
During tho lapse OF over fifty
years since the creating Of this holt
day. there has arisen n certain for
gctfulncss OF its Significance. or
possibly n lack OF appreciation and
understanding OF It's true purpose.
1t IL not n day OF revclry or re-
joicing or celebration. but a time for
reverence. honor and respect to
dead comrades. II IL not in any
manner a day for tho celebration
OF victory. but n day TO pay tribute
TO those who n v their lives In the
service OF their country.
Bearing In mind tho purpose OF
this holiday. and is significance to