The Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune from Muscatine, Iowa • Page 8

'MUSCATINE JOURNAL.AND NEWS-TRIBUNE MONDAY 31, 1937 Lest We Forget! Memorial Day '37 LELAND H. LESHER. Chaplain, Edward Bitzer Post No. 27, American Legion. "Fort Sumpter under the Stars and Stripes has been fired upon! A mighty host of Americans is determined to move out from under Old Glory at any cost! The Union is in danger! Lincoln calls for volunteers! It is among brothers!" "More than 2,500,000 men and boys don the blue; close to a million don the gray.

For four years the sunny South is drenched with blood. Heroism on both sides rises to superb heights. The American spirit which inspired both sides is unconquerable. Peace comes through brilliant northern victories over gallant, exhausted southerners. The Union is saved.

Lincoln faces the herculean task of restoring order from chaos, and he is fairly started when an assassin's bullet strikes him down." "North and South love their soldiers and sailors. Devoted southern women set aside a day on which to decorate the graves of the departed. The north adopts the beautiful custom and in 1868, Memorial or Decoration day. May 30, is officially designated in the northern states. The southern states each have their own day, but the spirit is alike everywhere." Thus does the writer of an editorial column describe the origin of this day.

We of this generation need to recall the yesterdays and their heroes and heroines and their great convictions. For has it not been well said that the nation which ceases to honor its dead defenders deserves to perish? There are some evidences that many of the men and women today are little concerned with their heritage. They have no time to honor either the living or the dead defenders of the nation! For them Memorial day is just a holiday. Another picnic day! Another day of no responsibility! A day without ideals, without memories, without tributes! AVhat folly! What sacrilege to so de- gpise the dead! What disrespect to the few remaining members'of the G. A.

Today in Muscatine, but two of the six remaining veterans of the G. A. R. in Muscatine county were able to attend the services held at the soldiers' and sailors' memorial plot in Greenwood. A fine program was presented by old and young, but those present were ashamed to see how few of our city and county were patriotic enough to observe this public recognition service.

Early this morning many veterans of the World war labored that each grave might oe decorated. The members of the patriotic women's orgaruzations have worked earnestly to prepare wreaths for Memorial day. But too many missed the spirit and the purpose of the day altogether. It is proper to decorate all graves on Memorial of loved ones whether soldiers and sailors or not, but during the hour of the services, let us all gather to honor those who paid the great price or who risked their lives to defend the Union, and to keep our country, intact. Memorial day belongs to them first.

Some people say that Memorial day fosters a warlike spirit! Bu: there is no evidence of any truth in that statement. Certainly those of us who have worn the uniform of our country can testify that when we gather among the "tents of clay" amid the silent garrisons, or stand beside the veterans of '61, our minds shudder at the awfulaess of war. Memorial day speaks of peace. But it reminds us of the cost of the peace and blessings which we often accept very thoughtlessly and ungratefully. Every member of any Veterans organization and the respective auxiliaries, bears a special responsibility to see that true Americanism continues.

One essential element in love of country is a knowledge of our heritage and a grateful observance o' national anniversaries. Every citizen ought to plan now and firmly resolve that hereafter, he or she will observe the meaning and purpose of Memorial day arid will earnestly endeavor to persuade others to join with them. Those who bow at the tombs of their dead veterans will be better citizens for it. Citizens, of Muscatine, citizens of America, let's meet together in greater numbers for the Memorial day ceremonies in 1938! In lander's Field In Flander's Field The poppies grow In the i Evidence that Muscatine does' not forget her hero dead was strikingly emphasized at cemeteries in the city Sunday and today when American flags, insignias and wreaths were placed on the graves of soldier and sailor dead. Emblems marking the graves of two Civil war veterans are shown at right, with memorial tablets and flags on graves of two World war veterans at left.

At top, center, is the grave of John' Q. Page, located in Pine Mill-cemetery, which was decorated for the' first time this year when called to the attention of Muscatine veterans. The flag was at half mast in the veterans' memorial section at Greenwood cemetery, pictured here, when. bugler from the Veterans of Foreign Wars sounded taps. In the top corners are pictured bouquets of poppies, symbolic of the American soldier graves in 'France.

They were from the garden of Mrs. Fred Van Zyl, 971 Newell avenue. Between the crosses Row on row That mark our place. And in the sky the larks Still bravely singing "fly. We are the dead.

Short years ago we lived, Felt dawn, saw sunset's glow. Loved and were But now we lie. in Fla'nder's Field. "Fost" Grave Decorated The oldest Civil war grave in Muscatine of John Q. Page, half hidden by the tall grass which waves amid the broken and tottering tombstones of Pine Mills cemetery near Wildcat Den state not forgotten.

For the first time, since it became the final resting place of Page in 1862, the grave thii year was marked and decorated for Memorial day with the official star and flag, used to designate graves of all veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic. After going unnoticed for three i quarters of a century, the grave was discovered and called to attention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who mowed the tall grass which covered it and replaced the headstone, which tumbled down years before. Today, though situated in the old cemetery which seems to have been abandoned and in which no burials have been made for a long time, it appears as well kept as any of the graves in the more modern cemeteries of Muscatine. The headstone, crudely fashioned from limestone 'and showing the ravages of time, is the only clew veterans have of the identity of the veteran who sleeps in the long-forgotten grave beneath a giant oak tree- Figures on the marker state that Page, the son of C. C.

Page of Company died Dec. 1862 at the age of 22. His death came less than two years after the outbreak of the Civil war and six years before Gen. John A. Logan proclaimed the first Memorial day.

The youth never learned the outcome of the bloody conflict between the states in which he gave his life. Local veterans say that Page's company was captured at Shiloh and assume that he may have been return to the union army through an exchange of prisoners, later succumbing to illness. So far, no records have been found 1 here which might verify this con- jecture. 'The old cemetery, situated highway 161, a short distance from the highway 61 contains graves of residents ol Muscatine county who died as long ago as 1840. The duckhawk prefers to take its prey on the wing.

It will land on a limb beside an intended victim, knock' the bird off, and capture it in mid-air. heard in nearly all churches of. the city Sunday, and appropriate music marked the day. Rites Conducted as Wapello Observes Memorial Sunday Sunday and Decoration: day were, observed with fitting services Sunday with the Treverton: Warren delivering the. address at the morning "worship' hour in the Methodist church.

Patriotic orders and the Wapelld Girl Scouts attended in a In' the afternoon, jatriotie or- Impressive Memorial Services Are Noted By Junction Group Columbus large crowd attended Sunday afternoon the Memorial day program which was held at 2 o'clock at the Columbus City cemetery. The Columbus Junction band lead by Arthur Williams opened the program with "The Star Spangled Banner." "America," led by E. H. Wiegner, was sung by the audience, accompanied by the band. The invocation was given by the Rev.

V. A. Bloomquist and the address by the Rev. Robert N. Chord.

"Nearer My God to Thee," was played by the band and the benediction was pronounced by the Rev. The salute to the dead was by the firing squad in command of Lt. F. J. Pine and taps were by "Warren May and Eugene Myers.

Graves had been decorated earlier in the day and the flags and sprays were placed on graves of war veterans. Special Services Mark Memorial Day at Letts 'ganizations, school children and 1 the high school band, directed by C. C. Smith, assembled at G. A.

R. hall from where they marched to Ihe Iowa Tiver bridge for ritualistic services for the sailors. Later the to the Wajello cemetery lor Letts Memorial day was observed Sunday afternoon by a community program at the United Brethren church, and a short program at. cemetery. Family dinners were held and many from out of town came to I spend the week-end with rela- Itives-.

Visit With Glpples. L'. M. Hayes and son, Jack and Mr. Hayes, mother and father of Madison, and Mr.

and Mrs. Orville Gipple and son Donald of Rock Island were week-end visitors with Mr. and Mrs. L. U.

Gipple. Mrs. Jessie Letts had as guests on Sunday her daughter. Mrs. Mirch and her family of Winfield, Mrs.

Don Nickerson. her husband and daughter of Cora Letts, who (has attended the state university this year and Miss Kathryn who teaches in the Iowa City high school. has two more weeks of school and Cora left Sunday evening to spend summer at camp at Lake Geneva, Wis; and Mrs. Osear Ross of spent" the -week-end with Mrs. Mrs." Delia Other visitors on Sun-' daj were Howard Curtis and family from Fruitland.

They all visited the cemetery at Grandview on Sunday afternoon. Paines Entertained. Roy L. Paine -and sons, Denny and Dick and Miss Pauline Smith of Oakville were dinner guests Sunday at the home of Dr. and Mrs.

J. Austin and Charlaine, Raymond Bailey, who attends Cornell College at Mount Vernon, is homeifor the summer vacation. Barba'ra Jo Van Dyke, daughter of'-'Ithe" Rev. and Mrs. Ben- jamirie-'R.

Van Dyke is staying at the home of Mrs. Van.Dyke's sis- teivMra. Crooks near La- cou'a, while Mrs. Van Dyke is patient hospital -jn'-Des Moines. The Mr.

Van Dyke: returned to Des Moines- Sunday evening. Mrs. W. E. Zimmerman of-Allerton came to spend several days at the home of Mrs: Lois Grinsted and to' visit with friends.

Leslie -Soddaris of came Saturday evening to spend a few'days at the H. E. Gipple home. The expression "lame, -duck" originated in the stock-'exchange, where: it meant-- a person unable to filThis engagements or 'contracts. Crowd Attends Memorial Services Conducted at Conesville Cemetery Conesville A large crowd attended Memorial services which were held at Conesville cemetery Sunday afternoon.

The program as given follows: Song, "America." audience; prayer. Rev. H. M. Strong, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church: extract from the first Decoration day proclamation, by John A.

Logan, given by Alice Cox; Lincoln's. Gettysburg address by Mary Elizabeth McKee; songs, girls' chorus; recitation, "Our Beautiful Banner," Dorothy McCullough; Memorial day address. Rev. H. M.

Strong; roll call; talk, F. G. McCullough. of -soldiers' graves followed, Elaine Jarrard, Virginia Stafford. Lois and Shirley Edgar having charge of the flowers.

The girls' chorus included Alice and Patsy Elizabeth McKee and Ruby Warnstaff. Out of townspeople present Included Mrs. Guy Honts and Ferrall Dean, Mrs. Emma Francis, Mrs. Anna Chamberlain, Mr.

and Arthur, McCullough and family, Mr. and. Mrs. F. G.

McCullough. and Maxine, Mrs. John Schomberg, Mr Mrs. -McCullough, Miss Grace Chapman, Mrs. J.

T. Berry. Mrs. McKinley Powell. Muscatine; S.

D. Foster. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Tipton and Luretta, West Liberty; Mr.

and Mrs. Will Mrs. Laura Westcrman, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mansonholder, Albert McCullough, Mrs.

John Parks and Bill, Columbus Junction; Rr. and Miss Nina; 1 Waterloo. Farm Families of County Will Join in Tour of College Members of Muscatine county farm families will join witn visiting delegations from other southeastern Iowa counties in A tour ot Iowa Stale college June 20-21, the dates set by the college for this district, according to word received here Ten other counties are included in this district Otner counties tour the college campus in district groups at other dates, in County Agent Ralph Olson is co-operating with Grant Chapman extension specialist charge of the' farm tours, which will give farmers an opportunity to.observe the work at the college dairy, agronomy and experimental "farms, and women a chance to visit the colleg' buildings, greenhouses and Minister Tells World War Cost atServices Striking figures to show the cost last World war were sented by the Rev. A. L.

Brand- better; pastor of the United Brethren church in a timely Memorial day sermon for his congregation Sunday. He said: 'Fifty-one billion dollars, or a valuation equal to all. the.holdings snd property values, west of the Mississippi river. "The number, of dead, wounded, and war orphans is as large as all the population west.of the Mississippi river. 'War is useless and expensive, he added, quoting, a statement from Coolidge, who shortly after his retirement made an estimate of'the' cost of war.

The Rev. Stanley M. Full-wood, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, spoke on "The Glory of Broken Things," at the Sunday morning worship. "There, is a' glory in, broken, things.too.valuable to be.lost," he said, pointing to. the beauty of a shaft of becomes ever more beautiful when it is broken up by forming a glorious Memorial day message! were MEMORIAL DAY.

By Roy L. Fairbanks Each year at this time, the people of a nation finally become wary of war, its real causes and tragic reactions, pause briefly to pay fitting homage and respect those of their fellow countrymen who gave their lives "that this nation might long endure." The land for which our forefathers fought and bled, in order that it might be for them and for their posterity a haven where they might enjoy that freedom, and liberty so long denied, has brought forth legions of men. ot courage and devotion. Men with that intense feeling: of patriotism and strength of purpose that they would go out and lav down their lives for those principles for which they felt their country stood. Today we are of a new order.

Just as fervently loyal to our government, but, calloused by the horrors of experience, grown more wary of that wholesale carnaga called war. Unless, of course, faced by the threat of the tramping feet of invading hosts; As we pause today in solemn requiem to the memory gallant departed souls, may we utter a little prayer that out of (he present existing world turmoil comes the solution for a hope," promise of permanent Not all of us are to die for our country, but all'sre volunteers in this job of it. Let us re-dedicate to that task'on this Next Friday, Mr. Fairbanks of the Fairbanks Home for Funerals will comment on Farmeri..