The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-11-16
DR.. WILLIAM r. WARREN GIVES
OBLIGATORY ADDRESS SUNDAY AT
MEMORIAL SERVICE in NIATECUMBE

recorded betore.
Let us be a bit charitable at
least, and blame no one. The
elements-wind, water and fire
anywhere, respect neither man
Eor property.
We usually profit, however, by
disaster. The substantial homes,
schools and assembly halls erect
ed with government aid along the
Keys and the increased efficiency
of our Weather Bureau, testify
to that.
Some have criticised the ex-
penditure of money and labor in
volved in the erection of this
monument. Some one has said,
"Pretentious tombs and imposing
monuments are erected to crafty
the vanity of the living rather
than to honor the dead" But
surely it is not true of this me-
mortal. 1t is the finished product
resulting from the labor of many
minds and many hands.
The work has been done under
the supervision of the Works Pro-
gress Administration, sponsored
by the County Commissioners of
Monroe County, the Harvey Seeds
Post of the American Legion took
the lead in obtaining the contri-
buttons, and the Board of Public
instruction of Monroe County
furnished the property. These mon
uments serve a real purpose. They
recall the sacrifices, the good
deeds, the noble examples that we
should emulate. We know those
eulogized are not benefited. 1t
is the living that are benefited
by the erection of such memorials,
by paying tribute to their MEM
DRY, extolling their virtues and
profitting by their good example.
Certainly, neither solemn words
nor sacred songs can bring back
the loved ones. Memorial serv-
ices, like beautiful tombs and
monuments. express the desires of
those who sorrowing, live; and the
tributes we pay relieve our minds
to meet the demands of our con-
sciences. We benefit by recall
ing the life history of those we
loved and admired. "They gave
their todays for our tomorrows. F"
'Tn the midst of life we are in
death" The wisest know not
whence a storm may come nor
whittier it may go.
ITO die is landing on some silent
shore
Where pillows never break nor
tempests roar;
Ere well we feel the friendly
stroke, it's Ger
We who live, mark the passing
of men to the great silent be-
yond. Our limited senses note
the evidences of mortality. "Hap-
Ply is he who believes in the great
transition from the trials and
sorrows of earthly existence, to
the repose and peace of a perfect
eternity"
Those whom this monument
memorializes, a short time ago
were individuals like ourselves,
characterized by features that dis
tinguished them from a million
other persons. Now they are
inert shells. Were this the end,
the all of existence, it would be
sad indeed and naught but sor-
row ahead. But evidences of a
greater mind, a marvellous erea-
tor are everywhere.
The orderly revolutions of the
planets; the perfect funeiioning
CT the systems that go to make up
cur own bodies; the symmetry and
complex life cycle of minute or
ganisms that are everywhere, but
invisible TO the naked eye.
The harmonious INTERPOLATION
ship of the animal. vegetable and
mineral kingdoms Of the earth
all prove a master mind created
these, Human intelligence defies
the infidei's ehalleRge-''There is
naught beyond the grave"
We are appalled, at death be-
cause our social relations with
those We loved have suddenly been
severed. The efforts and am
billions Of those who have passed
on, have vanished. bot this nonu-
nlent viii constantly recall their
worth to the living.
There Is no death The stars 20
down
To rise upon some fairer shore,
And bright in Heavens jeweIled
crown
They shine forever more"
/" As the light af a star
Thru the night shinsth Tar
Ns'er - fade.
50 these souls
Bravely gone
Lveth on. LIvsth ca .--in nem-
err.