Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-16
PAGEANT DEPICTS
HISTORY OF FLAG
Thousands Gather at Capito!
to See ColorfuI Review
Under G. A. R. Auspices.

Seven thousand persons assembled
at the foot of the illuminated Capitol
dome last night, watched the I'M
foldment OF a colorful pageant pre-
senting the history of the flag OF the
United States as a feature OF the flag
day ceremonies under the auspices OF
the Department of the Potomac. Grand
Army of the Republic, and aliled pa
triotic organizations.
The exercises were TO have been
conducted Tuesday night, but ram
forced the postponement until last
night, William Bobb junior vice com
mander of the Department of the
Potomac, G.. A. r., presided in the
absence of Maj. Gen. John l.. elem,
department commander, who was TO
have presided.
In the address at the exercises, Com
missioner Dougberty outlined the sig
nificance of the flag and the ideals for
which it stands and he expressed 'the
Drayerful hope that it will continue
as an influence for the welfare Of
those whom it represents, and for
universal peace and justice
'TmpressiveIy Harmonious"
"Tn it's coloring and in its symbolic
arrangement of stars and stripes, the
commissioned
flag is impressively harmonious. 1t
represents our national character of
state and national sovereignty func-
tioning together in the harmony. pow
er and bencfcenCe of a diversified
unity.
1T reminds us Of the mutual ties,
of the sacrifices. and of the achieve
ments of our heroic ancestors of
every section of our country. in war
and in peace; of their struggles TO at
tain and TO maintain for humanity
the right to all that pertains TO the
pursuit of happiness in accordance
with laws in whose making every one
may share.
Wits sharing lesson has encouraged
millions in other lands to lift from
their lives of oppressive and repressive
degradation and abuse the tyranny to
which they had been subjected by
personal and governmental caste.
at betokens the glories and prog
ress of our national past. and is the
beacon of hope and promise for
no less worthy future.
I'VE are. therefore, led by these
reflections to a reverence for what
our standard means and the
prayerful hope that it will continue as
an influence for the welfare of those
peace and justice.
Band Offers Pageant.
Commissioner Dougherty's address
was preceded by the reading of let
ter by Col. o. Fl. Oldroyd, from the
Presidents secretary, in which was
expressed Mr.. Coolidge's regret in his
inability to accept the G. A. RS in
vitation to be present.
fCFn
was presented in three parts with an
interpretative musical score by the
United States Marine Band under the
direction of Capt. Taylor Branson.
The prologue was recited by Miss
Caroline Mckinley as costumed torch
bearer while Denis E. Cornell an
nounced the verbal Interpretation of
the various scenes.
In part one, the flags of the Vikings,
Columbus, the French explorers, the
sid English flag. the flag OF Amsterdam
and the St Georges cross of the early
pilgrims were borne up the broad steps
of the Capitol by men and women in
the costume of their respective land
and age.
The colonial flags were displayed in
the second part of the presentation
and this section of the program was
augmented by historic scenes includ-
ing, with others, the gift of a flag to
John Paul Jones for the halyard of
his ship, the Bon Homme Richard
and the adoption by Congress of the
resolution specifying the design of
stars and stripes for the national flag.
The concluding scenes of the pag-
cant presented the protectors of the
present flag of the United States
members of the G. A. r. for it's past
defenders, representative platoons of
the Army. Navy and Marine Corps for
its present protectors. and scores of
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as its de-
tenders of the future