The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-11-26

OepdEImSuI GuCdupLucub SaSA SCFSA7
al years since 1866. Next year they
hold their sixthieth Department. En-
campment in Racine.
When this Post was organized a
few Of the comrades went to the
cemetery with baskets of flowers and
placed them on the graves of the few
comrades, then mustered out. Then
the ladies of the Relief corps solicit
ed flowers from the city and the
country, and on the morning of Me-
mortal Day, met in the Post room, tied
them up in punches, and the comrades
placed them upon the graves. This
was not altogether fitting, because
they could not be uniform, and they
decided to get ported plants, and they
have continued to do that until this
time. / can tell you that there have
been times when the officers of Fred
S. Lowell Post did not know the best
way to turn to finance the expenses
of Memorial Day. They had no in
come, no tag day, no Community Chest
to go to, and their dues barely paid
their rent and some incidental ex-
penses. But they had to have some
money, and there was committee APP
pointed to provide way, and they
gave excursions to Paddock's Lake and
entertainments in the Opera House
sometimes their local talent, some
times with an entertainer from away,
and the house was always well filed.
KenOsha Helped Organization.
"The citizens Of Kenosha have been
good to the Grand Army and always
60 their requests in raising
funds to pay the expenses of Me-
mortal Day or any other occasion.
"About 1901 or 1902, Mr.. z. G.. Sim
mons, that grand old man., came up to
our Post room and told as that he
had made arrangements with the
Loan and Trust COM
pany, whereby we would receive $25
every quarter for fifteen years. He
thought, and we all had reason to
think, that this would be the life of
the Post. That was a friend in need
who placed us on firm footing.
"About Che time this fifteen years
expired, the city made an appropri-
alton to pay the Memorial Day ex-
penses; so that although the comrades
have at time had rough and rugged
road to travel, 1T was when they were
younger and could overcome every
obstacle in their pathway. But since
the weight of years began to bear
down heavily upon them they have had
smooth roads and pleasant pathways
in which to travel; and this because
of the generosity of Mr.. Simmons and
the good will of the city officials.
They have endeavored to live up to
the standard of Kenosha, which No. /
in every notable undertaking, and
Fred S. Lowell Post has always stood
No. at department headquarters.
They have sent in all reports prompt
ly and answered all communications.
They have tried, and I believe they
have been successful in living up to
the principles of the Order, which are
fraternity, Charity and Loyalty.
How Memorial Work Was Done.
''There was a. time when Comrade
George Limpert knew the locations of
every comrades grave in Green Ridge
and st. James cemeteries, and for
many years we met with him on the
Sunday before Memorial Day and put
out she flags. But as the numbers in-
creased, and he became more feeble
with age, he could not locate them ALL.
Then we divided it into sections, each
took a section, and with the
assistance of the Sexton, located the
graves. As the comrades were must
cred out, one after another, until
there were not enough left t odo this
work, the Sons of veterans, who have
always been eur helpers, took over the
work; and now, every son of
that has a section, has the
name of every comrad0 on his section
and knows where to place the flag.
"George Getschman, son of a veter-
an and good worker, who has lived
near the cemetery for nearly score
Of years, raised and lowered the
flag, taking csSe of the flags at the
proper time, and when Memorial Day
comes again, he knows how many of
those flags will do to use. And it is
easy for him to ascertain how many
more are needed.
"There is goodly number of Sons
Of Veterans that have fathers buried
in the city cemeteries and they are
proud of the fact that their fathers
to the country's call in the
time of need, and they have set aside
a day of memory to place flags and
flowers on their graves. ] would sug-
gest as long as there is an organiza-
ton of the Sons of Veterans that
they continue with their work.
snow, we believe that we have
turned over this day to an organiza-
tion that will take as good care of it
in the future as it has been taken
care of in the past. Memorial Day is
not holiday for sport and pleasure
it is Memory Day; day to let your
thoughts turn backward, back to the
time when those comrades, old and
young, that have been mustered out,
rendered their services to the gov
eminent. And you may rest assured,
that as long as there is a Grand Army
organization here, they will be with
US and assist in any way they can in
the proper observance of the day.