Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-25

There are many. too, for whom VAL
ley Forge has become endeared for a
more personal reason. For within the
walls Of Washington Memorial Chapel
thousands OF young men and women,
from all parts of the country, have
taken their marriage vows.
Here will be found the twinkling-eyed
Silvery-haired little man who has been
a guiding and moving spirit OF Valley
Forge for 30 years--the Rev. DR.. w
Herbert Burk, who founded the chapel
% years ago, and saw its completion on
June Is, 1911.
Divorces Barred.
The chapel isn't a Gretna Green. DR.
Burk impreSseS upon one. The couples
who come to him to be married In this
historic and pastoral setting do It with
fun appreciation OF the seriousness of
the occasion he says. and he has made
1t a rule that all marriages performed
there are first marriages-no divorced
persons may apply. The record num-
bsr OF Weddings-448-took place last
year
There Is noble music for the Valley
Forge weddings. too. for as the gray
haired Episcopal minister reads the
ritual the full-throated bells of the
echo over the hillsides.
Proud Of Achievements.
DR.. Burk. who In 1928 won the Phila-
delphia award, given annually to the
person who has contributed a service
calculated to advance the best and
largest interest Of the community" is
almost as proud of the success Of his
marriages as he is OF his work in build
ing the chapel and the museum.
only six or seven couples OF the
hundreds I have married in the last SIS
years have been divorced" he said. "a
great many couples come back year
after year to spend their anniversaries
in the park"
The military flavor will be furnished
by 1000 troops, 200 Of them mounted,
who Will flank the course over which
President and Mrs. Hoover will drive,
Battery of Phoenixville will begin
nring the cannon salute as the presi-
Dental party enters the grounds.
The route leads up Gulph road, right
on Quarry Lane and on up the draw
TO the Stephens house at the Hunting
ton quarters site. This old stone dwell
ing, built in 1916, has been dressed for
the occasion, too, and large room re-
papered and painted TO accommodate
the Cnief Executive and his group dur
ing their stay at the park.
Program Planned.
Promptly at 1890, daylight saving
time, the program will begin. the troops
having in the meantime closed in be-
hind the Presidents party and marched
up the grand parade grounds to as
Semble In front OF the platform. Bishop
Francis M. Taitt Of the diocese of Penn
sylvania will give the invocation.
Following the rendering of America"
by the 10th Field Artillery Band. Isaac
r. Pennypacker, chairman of the Valley
Forge Park Commission, will introduce
President Hoover. The ceremonies are
TO close with the National Anthem. DR..
H3rank Aydelotte, president OF Swarth-
more College, will ask the benediction.
Careful plans have been made to
accommodate the huge crowd expected
on this day. Two large fields have been
ropAd off for parking cars, and to take
care OF those millions who will not be
able to hear the program in the in
spring setting of Valley Forge itself.
score or more of wires are being led
in over the hills to the speakers rostrum
and thence to radio microphones and
telegraph keys.
(CopyriglN. 1881. by North American News
paper Alliance. Inc