New Britain herald., 1928-09-24
LIVING AND DEAD
 HONORED BY CITY
Impressive SaIlc6 Coaductsd
 Sunday t Xu Memorial


 gathered about the World WtF msmestal shaft in Walnut Aill park. clsrsymen of several denominations joined yesterday In memorial seFv- ices for the war dsad.
 Rabbi Gersnon Hadas. and Rev. Dr. A. 4. Ahlquist were the prin- cipal speakers. Rabbi Hadas spoke of, The Boys Who Went Over and Came Back" while Dr. Ahlauist had for his topic, Tho Boys Who Went Over to Remain"
 Rev. Dr. G. w. c. Hill. pastor oe the South Congregational church, led the invocation. Az the exer- cises were being brought to . closs. Rev. NJ. J. rraynor. pastor of St. Mary's church. pronounced benedic- ton.
 John A. Lindsay, prominent in musical circles was in charge of . chorus of 1b0 voices which hs had assembled and directed. Accom- panied by the Philharmonic band, the chorus sang patriotic and reli- gious selections. August Klein was soloist
 Az the concluding item on the program. which had been prepared by . committee headed by Michael J. Kenney, members of the Ameri- can Legion drum corps echoed taps through the park.
 AAA.>.. A- n, Av.1~,,S~< Rev. Dr. Ahlquist spoke as fol- lows:'
 Y need hardly say that cen- sider it an honor, as certainly 1t ts | great privilege to be allowed te speak here this afternoon.
 We are making . pilgrimage to the graves of our heroes and we live again through those awful hours when men died that the world might survive. The contemplation of this treasured past around the altars of sacrifice should work in us the miracle of individual and social regeneration.
 Our holy dead will indeed have sacrificed in vain If thoss who ought to follow up their trtumphs of war with the still greater trt- umphs of peace surrender the pass. If American society is to be | ht- devotion manifested here in 1911: and by all the conflicting powers from l91< till 1918: then homes and parents. churches and their mem- bers must live up to the great ideals for which our gallant sons fought and fell. The world war was avowedly wased for the future of the nations, but if we give way to that which is almost worse than war, luxury, excess. corruption. vice and crime, how shall then the nations benefit? By the memory of those who threw their youth away that we may live anew. lot the youth of this day awake to manhood. righteousness and serviceableness.
 May our devotion to our country and our adherence to all that is good and right in church and state be like that of | fine old gray beard who. in an exchange of pris- oners was returned to France. The first thing he did upon arrival was to present himself at the ministry of war. and having been admitted to offer a bit of cloth stnged and dirty with the simple words: 'Mon- sieur. have the honor to return the flag nag Before the garrison capitulated the nag had been burned. but this soldier had de- tected the frayed bit and hastily concealed it upon his person, he kept the sacred remnant clese to his heart. and at length brought 1t
 home. A glorious deed, symbolic of the simple soldier. like him in
 sacrifice and glory.
 There is . meaning of our gathering today that relates ex<
 clusively to the mothers and fathers
 whose sons did not return from the
 field of war. They had more than
 their share of the storm of sorrow which then swept through the
 world. When the news came that this or that gallant dad had fallen } in the fight or died in the hospital all things seemed to tremble be- meath the feet of these devoted
 parents. But they and their sons have city which hath foundations and whose builder and maker ia God. That God gave them strength
 and courage to cruelty their fears and to learn the meaning of sac- rifice. I often wonder that it never , occurs to people who are alwayl , chattering about immortality to do , something to deserve it. These
 mothers of the Golden Star and their offspring did not emulate those who try to convince themselves oi
 immortality by sitting in darkened rooms and listening to far-off voices , They did something to earn it. "'The destiny of America lie1 I around the hearthstone.' said Presi.
 dent Coolidge accepting the nomina. f tion to be a candidate for the vicl , presidency. The hearthstone-tha
 home-the family-there is the hop< ' of America. But the hearthstone fl , sn emblem. Beside it is enthroned B the mother. She is the symbol oi y the great Empire of Motherhood , The Creator lays each new genera
 ton in the lap of the mother; VI s have high warrant indeed for oul 1 belief that the hand that rocks tho
 cradle rules the world If . .maI I can be joined to his mother again f no matter to what depths he hal |, fallen, he will like the prodisal GOT 5 Of old. come unto himself. This fl r why General Pershing in France al r Mothers Day drew near. ordered al
 his soldiers to wrote letter home t< :. mother. assuring the boys that theil