Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-06-01

A valiant little group Of veterans
OF 81 was assited in their observ-
ance Of Memorial Day in this city
by the full ranks of the younger
veterans Of the Nations more recent
conflict, the World War, and cit-
zens generally gave the day more
consideration as II in the fast fad
ing column Of the Boys in Blue Of
the Civil War they had been given
new vision Of the sacredness of
the occasion, and a new sense of
their debt to the nations defenders.
who gave their lives for their flag
from the earth.
In the Capital City Of Maine the
day was given its true significance
There were no sporting events to
lure the mindful citizens from this
one day consecrated to honoring
the memory Of the soldiers Of all
wars. and the attendance at the
public exercises at Monument Park
and at the memorial services in the
Penney Memorial church in the at
ternoon testified to this higher
sense of patriotic obligation.
A significant feature of the parade
which preceded the program at the
Soldiers Monument was the long
line Of stur~y veterans Of the
World War. Members of the James
Fitzgerald post. american Legion
indicated their readiness to assume
the observance Of the day, even af-
ter the last honored veteran Of the
Civil War has gone to his little
green tent" and his name has been
| inscribed on the silent roll. Follow
ing their stand of colors and under
the leadership of their post COM
mander, Reuel B. Soule. the Legion
formed a considerable support to
the glorious little group Of Grand
Army men, who directed the pro-
| gram Of memorial for their depart
ed comrades.
In the morning the 700 graves of
veterans in the cemeteries OF All
gusta were decorated with the flag
and cedar wreaths by details from
the H. G. Staples camp, Sons OF
Union Veterans and from the James
Fitzgerald post, American Legion.
At 10 o'clock services were conduct
ed on the south side of the Kenne-
bee bridge by the Gen. Phil Sheri-
| dan Circle, Ladies Of the G.. A. r.
for the sailor dead, and the beauti-
| full custom Of strewing fresh flow
ers upon the swift flowing waters
Of the river was impressively car
| Ted out.
| The parade for the afternoon SER
vices was formed at 2.15 o'clock on
| Water street and in Market Square,
! under the direction Of Joseph P.
| Grenier, Marshal. and at the word
Of command proceeded up Water
street to Bridge, to State. to Monu-
ment Park, where the National
| Guard Companies and the veteran
and patriotic organizations massed
for the usual exercises by the Seth
Williams post, Grand Army of the
Republic and by the James Fitzger-
aid post, American Legion.
OF course the representation Of vet
Grams Of the War of the Rebellion was
| encompassed in a single squad, but
the gray-haired soldiers Of 81 squared
| their shoulders and raised their
craven faces proudly as homage was
rendered to their comrades and tc
them. There was a particularly nu'
| merous representation in the ranks
of the two Guard companies-the
Headquarters Company. S6th Infantry
| Brigade. Captain Almon B. Sullivan
| commanding, and Company F. 103rd
| Infantry, Captain Frank B. Sprague
commanding.
The James Fitzgerald Post, Ameri-
| can Legion, had one of the strongest
groups in the parade in any Memorial