Putnam patriot., 1926-06-11
Delivered to Large Assembly In St. Joseph's Church, No.
 Grosvenordale, May 30
With Words of Inspiring Patriotism
 Enthralls His Audience

morial Day. the Rev Seraphin Gee gan O. F. N., of the Franciscan Mona stary. N. Y., delivered an address such as has seldom been heard in that vil- lage. The address was received too late for last weeks issue of The Pat-I riot but is reprinted herewith in full that those not fortunate enough tol have heard it may have the pleasure of reading the many fine thoughts therein contained. The address was as follows:
 A few months ago I stood in the cemetery of Belleau Wood. France, where rest the American soldier dead. It is a beautiful spot, facing the ris- ing sun, adorned by nature. nestling beneath the sheltering hillside, and the Stars and Stripes nnfoiled above it. As l gazed on the thousands of white crosses that marked their last earthly resting places; and as looked at the neat, green graves where repose the bodies of the heroes who died in defence of Democracy, l thought to myself. "They died-they died heroes and their deaths have not been in vain"
 Today this same spirit is sweeping over our broad country, touching the cords of every patriotic heart and bringing the tears of pride to each American eye. In every city of the land, in every hamlet of the country, wherever an American, today. finds himself. his thoughts turn to the na- tional heroes of the army and navy and he pays his tribute to the depart ed: "They died for us on the field of honor-their deaths have not been in vain"
 Though ever responsive to the ap- peal of patriotism; though the mem- ory of the soldier dead is constantly in our thoughts; the nation has set aside a particular day in which to honor the memory of those who have died on the field of battle. This is the day. Memorial Day.
 A Weeping Mother
 Today, America becomes a weep-l ing mother. standing beside the tombs of her illustrious dead. with laurel wreath in hand, she gathers her child | ren about her and tells them the glori- | ous story of the past.
 There are the Colonial days, dist ant in time but fresh in memory when | the fathers. in untold sacrifice and shedding of blood laid the foandationI | of this glorious Republic.
 There are the days of a mighty l sorrow, when brothers drew sword | against brother. and the soil was drenched with blood, but through the dark hours of carnage. there shines the great deeds of those who answered the call of the nation in the time of danger and distress. Their names are written in the hall of fame Ami mostly is now forgotten and victor and vanquished rest side by side;
 Love and tears for the Blue.
 Tears and love for the Gray
 With pride, America points to Cuba, which the gallantry of her sail ors and soldiers placed among the free people of the world.
 Were Your Boys"
 No encomiums of mine are neees- sary to eulogize the American Forces that engaged in the war of nations. | You know their achievements. They were your boys. They came from these green hills. They came. in from every part of America. They travelled thousands of miles 10 the scene of conflict. Their coming | lifted up the dropping spirits of lan- puishng Europe. Their valiant eou-- age surpassed veteran armies and their indomitable spirit saved the world to Democracy. They added new and imperishable honors to the glory of American arms.
 You boys were there and you share in this glory as you shared in the danger. May you be with us many years
 But for those who have left us, we, grateful people. place, today, the wreath of remembrance upon the graves of our departed heroes. 1t is our tribute to them. It is the pledge, that though removed from us, they still exist in memory and their deeds are treasured in the hearts of grate- ful people. IL is our testimony that as long as America exists they shall never be forgotten. lt is our tribute to the soldier dead. that their lives have not been in vain but that they shall be, during the coming ages, an to the living. May God grant to them the reward of good soldiers, Eternal rest"
 Look to Future
 But. America today looks above and beyond this vision Gf the past. ! She views the future and would have us learn from these ceremonies so to shape and order our lives as to pattern them after the models of the heroic past.
 America hath sheathed the sword. May it never be again drawn. We must now be the heroes of peace. Peace hath her victories no less than war; We now belong to the vast army of "unsung." the "un- praised" the unknown" The fath- CTS who build the homesteads, from which the heroes of tomorrow come; the mothers. who bring them into the world, nurse them and give them to the nation, in the hour of need; the parents, who cultivate the seeds of and instill into the child | ren's hearts the love of America; the ambitious young men and women, the toilers of city and coun- f trv-side. The law abiding, God-fear- ing. America loving citizens. These are what America looks forward 10 today from the graves of her il-l lustrious dead. These shall add to her glory and these shall she place in her