Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-12

Though the day Tuesday was one of
general festivity and celebration in
this city as their 'Buddies" believe
their comrades who went west
would have it. when the eleventh hour
of the eleventh day of the eleventh
month arrived, q two-minute period of
silence, contemplation, and prayer was
observed, hcralded by two blasts on
the fire whistle. and perhaps in all of
the program OF observance Of Armis-
tice Day on the sixth anniversary or
tho cessation OF hostilities in the
World War, that impressive feature
was the most significant.
1t mattered not whether Augustus
veterans apd citizens were on the field
of tho scene of the annual grid classic
between the football teams Of Cony
and Gardiner schools, or in their
homes. when that memorable moment
was announced. people paused in their
activities and with bowed heads re-
called the sacrifice of the tens upon
tens of thousands of brave lads who
died that a new and permanent era
of peace might dawn upon and bless
this world.
In the minds Of those veterans OF
the World War. who We're out to dt-
rect and participate in the public OBJ
seryance of the day, were memories
of comrades who dropped in the wheat
fields west of scissors. or crumplcd up
in the muck and mud OF the tangled
Argonne, or died with n smile curving
their lips In hospitals and on ships
six years ago. 1t was significant. too,
that the younger generation realized
the sacrcdness of that two minutes.
and stood reverently with bowed
heads, the excitement of the moment
forgotten and relegated ms the Inn
pressiyeness of the occasion was
sensed throughout the multitude of
celebrators.
When the 120 seconds of silence mad
been counted off at Williams Field
where the great public features In
connection with the days program
were carried out, THE Roll Call. a
buyle composition in commemoration
of the World War dead was sounded,
and MS the clear notes carried across
the field and found reverberating
echos in the hills to the eastward. the
realization came home to the hundreds
of citizens. veterans and members OF
the school student bodies that they
were experiencing and participating In
inst such an historic observance as
was being conducted in almost every
village ana HaifiitS III N"A'
around the world.
Observance Started Early
The public observance of the day
IN this city was started Off with a
narade at $50 in the morning, ioi-
lowed by a military demonstration
on Williams field. which proved most
interesting to thousands OF obserV-
ers: the Cony- Gardiner tootoail ctasn
Ience at IL o'clock. and play and
dance in the evening at city nall.
THE James Fitzgerald post, American
Legion. arranged the program Tor
the Capital City and that their Ell
forts met with the general approba .
ton Of the citizens was manifested
bv the large numbers who partiolpat-
Cd in and observed the several acu-
vities of the day.
Major Donald c. Metcalf was the
cha irman Of the Armistice day par
hde. Major Charles W. savage was
in charge of the simulated attack on
an enemy machine gun position az
Williams field, and Captain arthur :.
Merrill headed the Legion committee
sponsoring the evening entertain
ment.
Members of the two local military
organizations and OF me various
civic organizations pattlc!pa'eu ~
the big parade, which was the OPEN
ing feature of the ArmisIice uas
ceIahration in this city. This par
ode WAS held Mt $50 O'Clock. in order
that plenty of time might he.avail-
ahIe for the BATTLE of Williams
Field" which was staged by the
members of~Co. F., .10Srd 1niantrS'