Evening star., 1932-05-01
TRIBUTE PLANNED
! FOR MOTHERS DAY
Nine. Schumann-Heink to
Sing at Tree Ceremonies
at Arlington.

To pay national honor to the mother
OF the Unknown Soldier, an impressive
and colorful tribute will take place
next Sunday, Mothers day, in Airing
ton National Cemetery, when a white
birch tree will be planted during cere-
monies at which Nine. Schumann-
Heink will sing and Assistant Secretary
of War Frederick H. Payne will de-
liver the dedication address.
Bits Of earth from all the States
and Territories of the United States
will be placed reverently about the roots
of the Mothers Tree" to embody the
Nationwide significance of the mother
of the Unknown Soldier and to be sure
that earth from the native State of that
soldier nourishes the living tree, a me-
mortal to his mother. Boy Scouts and
Girl Scouts representing the various
States will place this earth.
The unusual ceremonies are believed
to constitute the first tribute paid on
such national scale by any country
to the mother Of an unknown soldier.
Sponsored by Spengier Unit.
Sponsoring and arranging the tribute
Is the Henry c. Spengler Unit, No. IL,
American Legion Auxiliary, of which
Mrs. Eva G. Chase is chairman of the
Bicentennial Committee and in charge
OF arrangements.
The earth to be placed about the
roots Of the tree already has begun
to arrive from distant places in re-
sponse to the request of Mrs. Chase
who communicated with the depart
ment commanders of the American
Legion. The earth is arriving in small
match boxes, the farthest having come
from France, Alaska and the Panama
Canal Zone.
Music will take a prominent part
In the services. The program will open
at 1890 Sunday morning with appro-
pirate selections by the Fort Myer Band
The invocation will be pronounced by
Chaplain Ralph C.. Deibert Of Fort
Myer. Mrs. Chase then will explain
the significance Of the white birch tree,
which is known as the Mothers Tree
and briefly explain the tribute which
is being paid to the mother of the
Unknown Soldier.
ColorfuI Tribute on Tree.
The tree will be presented formally
by Mrs. Jennie c. Knight. president of
the Spengler Unit, and will be accepted
by Robert r. Dye, first assistant super
intendent Of Arlington National Gene
terry. There will be q profusion of
flowers.
Uncertainty as to who the Unknown
Soldier or his mother are and as to
whether the mother is living or dead
will lead to a colorful tribute on the
tree itself. There will be tied to the
tree by ribbons of the same colors, one
white flower and one red flower.
Mothers Tree" a poem, will be re-
cited by Miss Rita Henkels, and the
tree itself then will be formally planted
o number Of persons taking part. Among
them will be Solan Parkes Of Reading
Pa, who originated the idea of such
q tribute, and who contributed the tree:
Mrs. Joseph II. Minis, department presi-
dent Of the District of Columbia
Auxiliary, American Legion; Mrs. Chase
and others
VIII Represent State Flowers.
From all corners Of the land then
will come the tribute of small boxes of
earth, which will be placed about the
roots Of the tree by Boy Scouts and
Girl Scouts representing the States and
Territories. The girls will be dressed
In colorful costumes to represent the
State flowers, and the boys will carry
pennants with the names Of the States.
Nine. Schumann-Heink at this point
Of the program will sing Danny Boy.''
Assistant Secretary of War Payne will
deliver the address Of dedication, and
Taps" will be sung by Nine. Schu-
mann Heink
The committee in charge Of the serv-
Ices includes Mrs. Chase, chairman:
Mrs. Anton Stephan and Mrs. Doug
las White.