Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-10
F|REMEN'S STONE
PUT IN CATHEDRAL
Bishop Freeman 0ffiCiateS
and Praises Fallen Men at
Rites in TranSept.

Dedicated to the valor of the officers
and men of the District Fire Depart
ment who have given their lives in the
service of this community, memorial
stone was placed in the south transept
of Washington Cathedral at a special
service yesterday afternoon in the pres
ence of former comrades.
In delivering the memorial address,
Right Rev. James E. Freeman, Bishop
of Washington, asserted that the fire.
men, in sacrificing everything in line OF
duty. had displayed the same type OF
heroism as war heroes. las long as
this cathedral stands that stone shall
bear witness to their valor and their
services to others in their day and gen.
Grafton" he said
Watson Presents Stone.
The ceremonies were attended by go
widows and relatives OF the men hon.
ored, who were special guests, with the
District Commissioners and heads OF
civic and business organizations. Mem
bers of the Fire Department, in uni
form, formed an escort of honor.
Chief George S. Watson, veteran of
many years. placed the stone in position
as Bishop Freeman pronounced this
sentence of dedication:
Il do hallow and dedicate this memo
rial stone in tribute TO those men OF the
Fire Department of the District of Co.
lumbia who have given their lives in the
service of the Capital of the Nation"
In presenting the stone, Chief Watson
declared:
"On behalf of the officers and men of
the Fire Department of the District Of
Columbia I present this stone to the
glory of God and in memory of these,
our comrades who have given their
lives"
$50 Firemen March to Rites.
Headed by the Drum and Bugle Corps
of the department. $50 firemen were in
the procession which marched up the
newly built steps of the south transept
to the spot where the stone was placed
to the ringing strains of patriotic
number 1t was said by cathedral Off
Gals that this was the first procession
to pass up the steps. which had been
built through the generosity of cathe-
dral donor to the employment fund.
After the stone was put into position
Mrs. Grace Weidzel, president of the
Womans Auxiliary of the Fire De-
partment, placed upon it memorial
kreath on the name of her organiza-
ton.
Bishop Freeman welcomed the fire
men and their families to the service.
In his memorial address he said he
felt it was an important occasion. be-
cause it portrayed the civic relationship
of the Cathedral to the life OF the COM
munity. He expressed pleasure also
that this tribute had been paid to the
fire heroes. for all too frequently COM
munities lack gratitude to those who
have served them.
Pays Tribute to Heroes.
I'VE cannot, on the eve of ArmiStice
day" said Bishop Freeman, fail to
measure lives in terms of service. rather
than of material things. These men we
honor today set us a wholesome ex-
ample in their service they aided in
the security of this community ana
contributed of their all to its peace and
| happiness"
The service was conducted by Blshop
Freeman, assisted by Dr. Arson Phelps
Stakes. CZnon of Washington Cathedral,
and Ca>non Gummere. Music was fur-
nished by the Cathedral choir OF boys,
under the direction of Edgar Priest, Or
ganist and choirmaster. The process
sion of clergy and choir, which arrived
after the firemen's group and onclals
| had been received, was headed by
crucifer bearing the golden cross re-
Gently given to the cathedral by the
King of Abyssinia.
Baltimore Sends Delegation.
After the memorial stone was in place
bugler blew Taps" in tribute to the
| departed comrades of the flreflghters
| present
| Chief August Enrich of the Balti-
more Fire Department. accompanied by
| a delegation of f1remen, attended the
} service. The District flremen in charge
! of the arrangements for the service
were Battalion Chief Thomas O'Connor,
Capt Stephen T. Porter. Pvt. Anthony
H. Schwenk. Capt John Werheim and
Inspector John Sullivan.