The Washington times., 1929-06-01

Keen.eyed, alert. full of the JOY
of living, and eager to start on
their great patriotic pilgrimage"
which will carry them to the his.
toric shrines of the East. the boys
and girls arrived in Philadelphia
in groups today from every section
of the United States.
Are Regional Champions
These boys and girls are cham
pions. They have won the honor
of making this pilgrimage by vir.
tue Of the fact that they are ad-
judged the best in their respective
sections OF the country in the flag
contest, which was sponsored by
the Hearst newspapers,
In addition to the pilgrimage,
they will receive from the Vice
President of the United States the
highst decoration of the United
States Flag Association--the Cross
of Honor. This is the same medal
that was awarded to Colonel Lind
bergh when he returned from his
epochal flight to Paris. Presenta.
ton will be made at vesper flag
services on the west steps Of the
Capitol in Washington a week from
Sunday. The boys ana girls were
bubbling over with fun when they
arrived today. While most of them
never saw each other before, al
ready they are forming friendships
that, from the looks of things.
will last life time.
Viewpoints BrOadened
They are learning from each other
that these United States of America
are all pretty much alike, and that
no matter where a fellow or a girl
comes from they still can be a
their point of view Is becoming
broader as they come in contact
with boys and girls of their own
age from other sections of the coun.
try.
There LIS plenty of rivalry between
them, and lots Of bantering about
who is going to win the grand ma
tional award in this contest--a trip
around the world. Only four of them
two boys and two girls-can win,
and they will be selected at the final
contest In Washington on Flag Day.
June IA. These four will sail from
San Francisco, June %.
While these boys and girls look
like the average, everyday sort of
seen on the streets of
every city and village in America,
there are a few whose lives have
been somewhat out of the ordinary,
and the fact that they have won
the contest in their regions makes
them stand out all the more.
Born ON Sheep Ranch
Take Peter A. Ospital, OF Stock
ton, Calf, for example. Peter Is
the San Francisco Examiners boy
in the contest. He
was born and has lived all his life
on a sheep ranch % miles from the
nearest railroad station. This is the
first time he has ever been more
than so miles from home, and he's
getting the thrill of a lifetime out Of
the sights. He is a student at st.
Mary's High School in Stockton,
and he prepared the answers to the
questions In the Flag Contest and
ais essay on ''Old Glory's Greatest
Glory" by the light Of a kerosene
lamp out on his fathers sheep
ranch.
The two champions representing
he Pittsburgh Sun.Telegram also
have won their laurels under handi-
caps that would have stopped many
boys and girls. Both Of them are
students at schools for orphans.
Rosa E. Wilson, of Tiffin, Ohio,
won her local contest IN a unit
by the Orphans Home
of the Junior Order Of United
Mechanics. Thomas Paul
Derdock, the boy champion, lives
and studies at the ST. Joseph's
In Pittsburgh, Their
record is ali the more remarkable.
because more than 500 local con-
tests were conducted in the terri
tory for which the Pittsburgh Sun
Telegram was responsible.
There is one coincidence that is
the originator and the con-
iuctor OF the Flag contest extremely
proud and happy. Col. James A.