The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-06-11
Many Thousands of Ocean
Flyers Fellow Citizens
Cheer Him to the Echo as
He Parades Down Penn
sylvania Avenue - Mother
Is on Reception Stand With
COOlidges

Washington Monument Grounds,
june 1.-tH)-With the nations
memorials to her greatest heroes
looking down upon him. Charles A.
Llndbergh today was formally well
coined home and tremendously in
Quoted into the ranks Of American
immortals.
Many thousands Of his fellow citi-
zens cheered him and tried to touch
his hand as he paradcd down historic
pennsylvania avenue and many thou
sands more gathered in a bowling
mass at the base Of the Washington
monument to see President Coolidge
bestow upon him. in the name Of the
republic, the first Of n new order of
decorations for valOr. 1t was the
Distinguished Flying Cross, con-
ferred on him in recognition Of his
thunderbolt flight across the Allan
tic three weeks ago today.
Mother With Him
Riding beside his mother, who had
been the first to meet him when he
reached Washington ut noon on the
cruiser Memphis, the hero scarcely
seemed to hear the plaudits of the
crowds that packed the way of his
triumphal journey down Washing
tons most famous thoroughfare. He
acknowledged the rolling cheers now
and again with a nod Of the uncov-
cred head, but most Of the way he
sat unresponsive. As he rode pass
the postotfice department, where an
alrplane propeller had been hung
above the entrance in recognition Of
his service as an air mail pilot, he
barely turned his head and waved an
acknowledgment.
Even before the blonde young air
man had neared the monument
grounds, the crowd there expanded
almost incredibly. 1t surrounded
soldly the small reception stand for
almost as far as the eye could see.
Many more thousands were on-top
of the distant kn0ils.
President Coolidge already was at
his place on the reception stand. He
at under the protecting top Of the
stand with his high hat on. Occa-
sionally he smiled ut the crowd and
turned to talk to those about him.
Many NOtables There
Mrs. Coolidge. sitting to his right.
bowed and smiled to friends in the
s.aaus. members Of the cabinet with
their wives took seats on the presi-
dents platform.
Practically the entire diplomatic
corps was gathered to the presidents
left with members of the supreme
court and Of the semi-official recep-
ton committee to the right.
Shrill cries and cheers announced
to the waiting throngs at the stands
that Lindbergh was approaching. IL
was just | o'clock when the car
bearing the Viking of the air turned
into the monument grounds. The
band struck up Sousas "Stars and
Stripes Forever" and another deaf
ening roar went up from the crowd.
With soldiers and police keeping
his admirers out Of the enclosure
about him, Lndbergh quickly mount
ed to the platform. He bowed and
shook hands, with the president
while Mrs. College drew Mrs. Lind
bergh to seat beside her. Lind
served for him while the great crowd
came to its feet with roaring well
come that lasted for two minutes.
Mr.. Coolidge tried to begin his
speech Of welcome. but had to sit
down until the thousands haG oiven
their welcome to the young fl"ar.
Mrs. Iindbergh Cheered
Then Mr.. Coolidge tried it again
with more success. But his speech
was interrupted with applause every
time he alluded to the aviator. When
he mentioned Mrs. Lindbergh, the
crowd came to it's feet with applause
and cheers and a demand that she
stand up. The president turned to
her and she arose, bowling and smil-
ing.
The ceremonies crowned a reception
such as the nations capital never be-
tore had given to any person. no
matter what his rank, station or oc-
comrlishment.
As the chief executive pinned the
bronze medal, the first to be struck
off, on the lapel Of the blue sack
coat of the worlds hero, a mighty
roar went up from the thousands up
on thousands who were massed in
the broad expanse Of the park SUR
rounding the towering granite shaft
erected to the memory of the first
president.
Secretary Davis of the war depart
ment handed the cross to President
Coolidge in a blue box, and the presi-
dent pinned it to the lapel below the
French decoration of the Legion OF
Honor. Then the two shook hands
Continued on page three)