New Britain Herald Newspaper, September 24, 1928, Page 4

- Shaft Not -~ ls-Note Struck Impressive Exercises at Wahwt Hill Park Fol- lows Brilliant Parade Witnessed by 160,000 Spectators. All New Britain suspended its business, pleasure and social affairs for & few hours Saturday afternoon and: paid its most glorious tribute to the soldier dead, with the dedication of the long looked for World War Memorial on Walnut Hill park. For an entire week the streets and business places of New Britain have beon taking on a gala appearance as though in celebration of a holiday. From early Saturday morning New Britain streets began to be thronged with visitors until by 2 o'clock Main street was crowded to the curbs. Although the parade did not move until 8 o'clock, different divisions began to arrive shortly after noon and the expected traffic jam began to materialize. Parade Moves On Time The parade formed on East Main street with different sections resting on the intersecting streets. Prompt ly at 3 o'clock the procession head- ed by a platoon of police in charge of Chief W. C. Hart, and Curtiss L. | Sheldon,. grand marshal. moved. The procession was at least threc miles long. It extended from East Main and Elm streets over the en- tire route with the head of the | parade entering Walnut Hill park, while the last division was falling into line. Immediately following Mr. Shel- don and his aides came the military | division, said to be the largest mili- tary pageant ever seen in the city. It was estimated that there were 100,000 spectators. Mere than 10,000 had gathered in the immediate locality of the monu- ment when the first unit of the parade made its appearance for a second review before Governor Trumbull and his staff, Mayor Pao- nessa and other guests of honor. The wading pool had been drained and 6,500 seats placed therein. The sloping banks to the north of the memorial, and the grassy spaces to the east and west of the pool were & mass of humanity, when the blare ©f a bugle announced that the parade was.in readiness for review. Airplanes from the 115th Observa- | tion squadron circulated above the parade and over the park during the ceremonies, The procession took approximately | one, hour to pass a given poing. 1,100 Militiamen in Line Commanding the military division | was Celonel D. Gordon Hunter, of the 169 Infantry, Connecticut Na- | tional Guard. In this division were 1,100 men of the 169th, from all over the state, headed by the 169th infantry band. Following this regi- | ment and making a picturesque ap- pearance was Troop B of the First Cavalry, C. N. G. The American Legton drum corps of Southington was followed by 127 men of the 19th division naval militia. The escort division was commena- | ed by Theodore Johnson, past de- partment commander of the U. §. W. V. Both troops of the Go\'er-i nor's Foot Guard, each troop with | its own band and totaled 300 men, | were in line. The historic Putnam Phalanx with its drum corps, num- Dering all told about 75, followed. The Philharmonic band of New Britain preceded the United Spanish | ‘War Veterans of whom there were approximately 150. The World war division was head- | ed by Captain Alfred H. Griswold | #nd staff. One hurdred members of | the Edith Cavell command of British Great War Veterans of Hartford, headed by the Highland Scottish pipe band and accompanied by Lieu- tenant Jessie Reynolds, woman sec- | retary of the command. followed. | A number of other World War | Veterans organizations were headed | by the New Departure band of Bris- tol. This division included the Dis- abled Veterans, Veterans of IForeizn Wars, the Connecticut Ladies' Aux- | illary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Middlesex Auxiliary and General Haller Post, Pol Veterans was lead by the Boys' club | fife and drum corps and was pre- ceded by Kosciusko Post World ‘War Veteran The Amer Legion group in- cluded the state commander and his staff, the 115th medical regiment, C. N. G. and its band; the 102nd infan- try band, Legion Posts of tford and New Haven county, the Meri- den legion Post with its own band, the Aziz Grotto drum corps; the Y M. T. A. & B. drum corps; the Hard- v band of New Britain and the Eddy-Glover Post drum and bugle corps, variously scattercd be- tween veterans' organizations. The Eddy-Glover post drum and bugle corps made its first appearance in its flashy new uniforn and un- doubtedly was one of the hig hits Of the parade. The uniform is strik- ing. consisting of nickel helmets, red coats. white shirts and collars and blue tie, wh trousers with hlue stripes and black shoes and puttees There were 400 local Legion mem- bers following the new drum corps. The American Legion hand. also of Eddy-Glover Post_ was in this i vision In the civilian division Licutenant Albin Backiel in command Corbin Commandery, TUniformed Rank. P. 0. 8. of A.. commanded b Captain Edward H Parker. a na tional officer of the organization. wa led by the American hand of New Britain. The commandery ac companied by the uniformed e tion of women from Newhn Anxiliary, Newburgh, N. Y Members of the fire department also marched in nniform fthose who were not required to he Among the marchers was Goorge Cooley. superintendent of fire alarms was on Auty still | Dedicated to War Hate, On Dedication Day and for more than 50 years a fire- man. The Girl 8couts fife and drum corps headed a delegation of Boy Scouts, who were commanded by Rev. John J. Keane of 8t. Joseph's church. They were saccompanied also by their own drum and bugle corps. The Universal band of New Brit- ain headed the societies, of the Sacred Heart and Holy Cross churches including 162 children in striking uniform of various kinds | from the Polish orphanage. | division also included the Polish Fal- | cons of this and other cities and a | delegation of hoys from the Falcon | society of Holvoke, Mass. | Other Polish organizations in | cluded the Polish National Alliance. | The same division also included the | various French patriotic societies and was headed by the Southington | fife and drum corps. ‘ Lithuanian Organizations March St. Paul's fife and drum corps of Kensington led a group of more than 200 of the Lithuanian societies. The | rest of the divi | Boys' club fife and drum corps | East Berlin, Clan Douglas, Order of | Scottish clans the Meriden Military |band, the Generale Ameglio society | with more than 200 men, the Savoy | band heading the Red Men's groups, the Hardware City band of New Jritain heading the Arrowhead tribe of Red Men from Hartford and the various Italian societies of the city. The float division was by far the most elaborate of anything ever seen in this city before. Thousands of dollars were spent by local organiza- tions on floats. One which attracted considerable attention was that of the United German-Austro-American societies. A man on a white horse was followed by a group of five voung girls dressed in white. Be. hind them were three men in the garb of the Austrian mountaineers. These were followed by a large float drawn by four white horses, float on which was constructed a replica of Flanders' field, showing the bat- tle ground and the graves of sol- diers marked with white crosses. | Over the rear of the float was an archway upon which was inacribed the words “Your fons Did Not Die in Vain." Standing beneath the archway was a woman representing the angel of peace and in fornt of her the first and third .generation of a family group, representing grand- parents and grandson, the inference being that the son and father had | lost his life in the war. Two floats which were previously announced to appear in the parade were not in line. The Woman's club float did not show up for reasons which were not divulged. The New Britain General hospital, feit that with all the crowds on Walnut Hill park it would be more practical to place a first ald on the park. . g charge of Miss Edna Deats, instruc- treas of nurses, and a corps of tralned nurses a first aid tent wi maintained on the park, in place cf the proposed float. Polish Float Pleases Another float which was con- sidered by many to be one of the most attractive in the parade was that by the combined Peolish socie- ties. The float represented a vet- erans’ cemetery with 36 graves. Each grave was marked by a little white cross containing the name of one Polish veteran who lost his life in the service. Little girls in white dresses knelt at the crosses. Pla- cards on the truck announced that 36 Polish veterans gave their lives for their adopted land. The Junior Achievement float fl- lustrated the work for which such clubs are formed. Three boys rep- resenting the Hardwarker's wood- | working club, and groups of girls | from the Jubilee club, the Lindy club | and the Belvidere club, made useful articles on tables provided for the purpose while on parade. They were in charge of Mrs. H. C. Warner, stant director of Junior Achieve- en Mooscheart, the orphanage for or- phans ot deceased members, was featured in the float by the Loyal Order of Moose. Official insignia of the Y. M. C. A., in the red, white and blue triangle, and the blue triangle of the Y. W. C. A., marked the floats of these or- ganizations. copies. Bethlehem float. one monument, while the Knights of Columbus fioat carried the other. Both were oxceedingly accurate Miss Beatrice J. Sorel of 112 Grand street, ciad in the costum which goes with one of the world's most famous religious pictures, knelt at a large cross on an artificial rock in a tableau representing Rock of Ages. This was the Shepherds of they challenge us here to live truer, braver lives, and do Thou give us grace that we may hold our inheri- tance from them as a sacred trust— that we may so live and labor as to leave it with increase for those who shall come after us. “And finally, O God, we pray Thee to grant Thy blessing upon this city and this nation that we love. Make us to be conscious of all that is good and fine and worthy of support and retention in our institutions. Pros- Mayor Weld appointed two members of the common council to represent that body. These members were Donald L. Bartlett and Willlam W. Greene. They also were constituted members of the general committes. “On April 11th, 1937, Mayor Gard- ner C. Weld, with suitable cere- monies, broke ground on Walnut Hill park, and the building of the memorial was begun. The work was started and continued to its compee- tion under the supervision of wu- A typical scene from the Emerald Isle marked the float of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the A. O. H. A large Irish harp surrounded by a bevy of per America as she iy strong. insofar as she is righteous. Strengthen her insofar Enlighten her inso- This | attractive young wome pretty appearance. American stage setting. organizations. ure of Krance rode wigwam and camp fire solved problem and was symbolical of the and draped with an “American flag, made & Mattabesett tribe of Red Men and Indianola council, Daughters of Pocahontas, had no diMicuity in fig- | uring a very pretty and typically An Indian the Uncle Sam and the symbolical fig- side by side, far as she is able to understand and appreciate the guidance of God. And fill us all citizens and Americans—with a rerewed vision cf America’s true and future greatness, a vision that shall see her enthroned as the greatest of all the nations, be- cause she shall prove herself to be indeed the friend and servant of them all. “Hear us now, and bless this serv- ice, as we ask it all in the name of God Almighty. Amen."” liam B. Beam of Kansas City, and 10 him the committee feels very grateful for the efficient manner 1n which he supervised the erection of this beautiful piece of architecture. “So rapid was the progress made under the supervision of Mr. Beam, that on Wednesday, July 20th, 1937, with a very simple and impressive ceremony. the cornerstone was laid. The speaker, on that occasion, was Dr. Osora 8. Davis of Chicago, for- merly of New Britain. “The committee is of the unani- mous opinion that no symbol that will “typify or remind one of war should be erected or parked in the guardéd by the army and navy of both countries and accompanied by a Red Cross nurse, on the Franco- G. H. Dyson Reviews History of Memorial American float. Visiting Nurse present. partment handle the line of parade. it was necessary the hands and made lowed the parade. at the refreshment stand Much commendation handed. hosts reached the park, possible, partment functioned. whole mile parade there miner accidents. which Lieutenant Matth an especially difficult spof from amateur memorial bullding prayer and the follows: Rev. T. A, Greene were Particular ment was made on the manner in Rival handled his men and the crowds at | Boy and Girl Scouts Aid Boy Scouts helped the police de- the crowds along At places where boys joined barriers beyond which no one could pass. Moter- cycle policemen preceded and fol- was ias t. A service car, clad in festoons of red, white and blue announced the | association was Girl Bcouts assisted at the park by passing out programs and in serving ex- | pressed at the efficlent and smooth | manner in which the parade was From the time it started, almost promptly en the minute as announced to the time the marching | there was not a hitch and everything went along almost as nearly perfectly | Expressions of admiration and encouragement were heard of the manner in which the police de- With many supernumeraries out, some of them having their first taste of heavy traf- fic duty under circumstances such as these, traffic was kept moving, no one was injured and throughout the length of a three or four- but two com- The parade and exercises were the mecca for photographers of all sorts to aerial, photographer in the city was said to have been out with his camera, while news reel men also were here to an- nounce to the world that New Brit- ain is on the map am always. The exercises at Walnut Hill park were opened by and conducted by Arthur G. Kimball, chairman of the committee. The addresses were as Every “‘His Fxcellency, Governor Trum- bull, Mayor Paonessa, honored guests, representatives of service or- ganizations and fellow citizens; “Four years ago, Mayor Paonessa, by authority of the common coun- cil, appointed a committee of seven for the purpose of selecting and recommending models and designs, and to choose a suitable site for a proposed memorial to be erected by the City of New Britain in honor of the boys who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War, and also as a testimonial of New Britain's ap- preciation of the four thousand or more citizens who gave their time and services that democracy mighi reign. The committee selected by the mayor, to be known as the War Memorial committee, was as follows: Albert F. Corbin, Bernard F. Gaff- ney, Joseph C. Andrews, George T. Kimball, Arthur G. Kimball, Charles F. Smith and George H. Dyson. “The committee-organized and se- lected the gpeaker, chairman; Arthur G. Kimball, vice chairman, and Joseph C. Andrews, secretary. After several mectings of the committee we invited architects and sculptors to submit models and designs. Three sets of models were submitted for the inspection and approval of the committee, and one set of drawings. various artists who submitted de- signs and models, that the site se. lecteq by the committee, the sum mit of Walnut Hill, where the me- morial now stands, was the jdeal spot. Of the various models sub- mitted, thé one presented by H. Van Buren Magonigle of New York city, seemed to be the most practical in design and architecture. “About this time the committee wag increased in members by add- ing to it members of the park board who were Willlam F. Brooks, John Callahan and Maxwell Porter, and two members representing the vari- ous veterans organizations. Joseph Andrews, in his capacity, represented the American Legion, Edward John- son, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Dewey O. 8elander, the Disabled War Veterans. It was the unanimous opinion of the | vicinity of the memorial, .as we feel it would be a desecration to those who gave their lives and in whose honor this memorial is erected. “The memorial committee feels very grateful to_and wishes to thank sincerely, all those who have as- sisted in any way to make this me- morial possible, especially H. Van Buren Magonigle, the architect and designer of the memorial, and whom it is my great pleasure to present to you at this time. "As chairman of the memorial committee I want to express my deep appreciation to the members of the | committee. T feel as if 1 were de- | livering a valedictory. The commit- tee has heen associated together for four years, and from the beginning to the present, nothing has arisen to mar our deliberations and united co- operation. To these gentlemen who have given so much of their valuable time and service, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for aiding the | successful completion of this beauti- ful work of art. “And now, Mr. Mayor, the mem- bers of the committee which was ap- pointed by you four years ago feels that the duties imposed upon it by the common council and the citizens of New Britain are completed. We realized the importance of this great undertaking. We have watched its construction as If it were our own personal property, and it gives me great pleasure as chairman of the memorial committee, to turn over to ou. as chief executive of the city of 'w Britain, this beautiful me- morial. Tt has been erected within the amount anpropriated by the common council and the committee feels that it is a perfect piece of work.” Mayor Paonessa Accepts Shaft in Behalf of City “The citizens of New Britain are happy today to accept, with a deep sense of gratitude to its memorial committee, this splendid work of art, this admirable tribute to its Le- glon of Honor—the 123 men who fought and died that our nation might live. “Your committee, Mr. Chairman, |is to be complimented. The archi- tect Offers Prayer “Eternal God, our dwelling place in all generations, from Whom we | come and to Whom we return, help us now to bring unto Thee—in this service of dedication—hearts that are full of reverence and gratitude and humility, as we sét apart this lofty memorial to our honored dead. “In the midst of the years which have been crowned with Thy good- ness, we praise Thy mercy and Thy truth, Thy guldance and Thy provi- | dence, which have been with us| hitherto in this land of liberty, and have blessed us also in this city ol‘ our habitation. We consider the | generations of old, and our hearts | £ay unto us—Did ever any trust in “All of the models submitted were | placed in one of the rooms of the City Hall, and invitations were sent | to the Gold Star families and those to visit the City Hall to inspect these varlous models and to offer suggestions as to what type memorial should These models were on exhibition for two days and two nights, and mem- bers of the committee were In at- tendance to explain the types of models and to answer ques- A large number of interested people were present which was very gratifying to the committec. the common council nearest of kin, of tions, mayor, members of the this ingpection. God and were put to shame? “O Thou, who are the God of our Fathers, who fixed here the founda- | tions of our nation, and art also the | God of our brothers, who laid down | their lives to defend its honor and in the hope of making peace at last & reality among the nations of the earth. we thank Thee for all good | examples and brave testimonies, and | for the faithful memories of all those, who—being dead—yet speak to us today. the Unknown Soldier” on the T. B. float told its own story. A large clock, with the Al hands | all grows silent in Eikdom, featured | the flcat of the New Britain lodge, | B. P. 0. . Two white doves, at- | tached by white and purple ribbons to an clk’s head completed a rather | pretty setting. | Unel companied by a £roup of juvenile Red Cross nurses on the float of the combined Italian | lodges. | Mrs. Honor Sunburn, clad in white and holding in her hand the | dove of peace. signified “Peace, Unity and Character” on the float of Court Columbia, Catholic Daughters | of Amperic A plea for an old age pension “To | keep the oid folks at home” was made by the Iraternal Order of | lagles' float. This float carried a | miniature homestead, where an aged man and woman sat in the doorway, arded by the veteran whe rep- resented the old age pension A prophecy. which opened the doors of the future and yet recalled the past of New Britain was the 04d Fellows' tloat. The float repre ented the comhined Odd Iellows’ lodzes of the city and was dress in the form of a blacksmith shop. A smith stood at a forge. In- ' stead of the customary horse shoes, he was taking old army muskefs from a stack of guns and was mak ing them into plows, a sample plow ing &een on the gronnds. The finat carricd the prophecy They Shall Reat Their Swords Into ‘awshares." Two fleats carried replicas of the | nmment. The float of Martha vashington Comneil. No. 1. Dangh- of America, and the Chamber 1in Council, Jr. 0. U. A. M., carried | God of the living and of the dead, the story of their sacrifice, in re- counting how they enlisted in the great World War, how they trained | | stopped at 11 o'clock, the hour when | earnestly, fought faithfully, and died bravely, each leaving us his own personal eternal witness to the truth: ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man shall lay down his life for his friends.’ “We remember here in gratitude, O God, the many homes into which these men were born, and in which | they were rcared to fear dishonor | more than death and to love their | country to the uttermost. We pray Thee to grant Thy blessing to rest copecially today upon the fathers | and mothers, the brothers and sis- | ters, the wives and' children and | sweethearts, whom they left Behind | them. Oh give unto all, who must of | cessity mourn their going. that comfort of the Spirit, which comes from knowing that fhey died like brave men in a noble« 1se, and that they gave their last full meas- ure of devetion that justice and righteousness and peace might not perish from the carth “We remember also the loyalty d patriotism of that cven greater host of men from this city. who of- fered themselves for the sacrifice. who ‘did their bit* in the same war. They have returned to us to mingle azain in the life of this city. to en gage in the nphuilding of this com- | monwealth. and we render Thee | further and most hearty thanks for the testimony they have horne and are still bearing. encouraging ns to better citizenship and true patriotism to all of whom this shaft ix also an etornal witness May all fhese cxamples and niemorie, as well as the great hope of lasting world peace. for which | these brave men fought and died. | never perith from our hearts! May | o “It was the consensus of opinion | that the model submitted by H. Van | Buren Magonigle should he the one to recommend to the common coun- cil as the type of memorial desired. he committee reported that me- morial of this kind would cost, ap- At a subse- | ent meeting of the common coun- | T proximately, ue: mittee was accepted and the recom- [ it will be a constant reminder of mendation adopted. The matter. of | the horrors of war! finances was referred to the hoard taxation who rec- “Because we know Thee as the | ommended to the city meeting hoard ‘“’Hl[ the amount he raised by taxa- A solitary grave, “In Memory of | We rejoice together now in recalling | tion, of finance and the memorial sured, but we “The committ; charged by the common council bat | city $165.000. | cil the report of the memo; ion. w be adopted ial com After this report it seemed to [ ment merely as a work of art.. its the members of the committee that | influence will be entirely lost. was practically were as. to receive a |than that. knockout hlow from the city meeting | inspiration. board, who by a very small majority, | the city it can be seen by day and rejected both the reports of the me- morial committee and of the board | his eves in the direction of Walnut | of finance and ta as mnot dis. remained inactive for two years. “Upon the election of Gardner C. | yor, the memorial com- | ked to reorganize and | to bring again to {he common coun- Aesigns Weld as m: mittee was a cil suggested posed met signer memorial with Mr. of the origin: lief of chang plan the < have and noble the memoria now see hefore “In September I'h Magonigle, memorial. 1 meetings with Mayor Weld. result of these conferences, sev- | eral ehanzes have heen made in the All in an commiittee von are ahoitt to dedicate, report of the memaori ol was the recomn Octoher, 1926, and taxation nnani 11 fion of $165.000 nurpose of the s of he onsly ndation recammended common covmeil that an appropria- | he m: erceting the me to he paid by taxation, and the committee was authorized by the | mon council to proceed with the the appointed committee to he known Arthur hard F. ing committer chairman: B eph C. Andrews Brooks “In addition to and this committee, for the pro. the de. it is the be. that nd which wi 6, coopted adopted to th for the memorial Th followin the huild. Kimbh safiney. Jo Wilham # morial the different The and government were also invited to participate in committee | and had these made more beautiful which yov the second committee to the mavor and to the common coun- and | n hoard of finance all. from whose drawing-board plans for this shaft came forth, the mechanies and the sculptors who executed the design, have all estab- lished themselves in the hearts of a well pleased commurity. The con. struction of a municipal memorial i a task that is beset with many dis- appointments; it is a work that is oftentimes diacouraging. But it is to the credit of the citizens of New Britain, and their World War Me- morfal committee, that they so revered the memory of their soldier dead, that no obstacle could do more than temporarily halt this move- ment. Today their work has been brought to a glorious conclusion, They have the satisfaction of stand- ing in the midst of their fellowmen and presenting to a grateful city, the fruits of four years of hard work. The community accepts with thanks, proud of its memorial, and proud of those who made this me- morial possible. “~“This shaft has not risen as a proud memento of a conflict fought and won! It is not dedicated to war, on the contrary it is hoped that It is an expres- | sion of New Britains appreciation cf iher fallen sons. Let us so0 regard it. “If we are to regard this monu- It is artistic to be sure, but it is more It is a memorial and an From every corner of by night. How can anyone turn Hill park with this sacred spire ris- | ing to the heavens without recalling to mind its story of brotherly love? Towering over our city. it will keep | alive fn the minds and hearts of coming generations. the story of these townsmen who, like their | brave predecessors of 1776, went forth in defense of their country. “This stone and bronze has been made sacred by the purposes to which it 18 dedicated and the deeds That the purposes of this memorial shall not be forgotten, and that these honored dead shall not have died in vain, let us instill into our daily lives the principles of broth- erhood exemplified by these men who fought, bled and died for us. Then will this memorial have served its purpose, and then will we have honored in dhe fullest measure our war dead.” Governor Trumbull Praises New Britain “Mp. Chairman, - Distinguished Guests and My Fellow Citizens: “I consider it a real privilege and a high honor to be present today participating in this historic occa- sion. I offer the congratulations of the state, and my personal con- gratulations to the City of New Britain and to all those who have united in this mighty effort to erect a magnificent, inspiring and lasting memorial to those who have served that this nation might live. I assure you that the State of Connecticut is happy to be able to join with you in these dedication exercises and it is gratifying to the state to be able to have her official representatives and troops present. “Your efforts, your labors, your sacrifices to erect this memorial is an inspiring example of gratitude and patriotism and bespeaks the loyal devetion that you all have to your city, state and nation. “In our exercises we, of necessity, must say much of the great sacrifice and the patriotism of those who have gone, and for whom this memorial has been erected, but it is no profit for us to eulogize the illustrious men whose names appear on the tablets before us, or who are remembered, or to sound the praises of all who bore arms in the defense of their country, unless we take to heart the lessons they have taught us. They have gone, and they have shown their devotion to a great cause, and they have left us to see to it that that cause shall not be betray- ed, whether in war or in peace. “It may be said, with truth, that the dangers of peace are worse than the dangers of war, and that is particularly true of our nation. Every day shadowy hosts and forces are contending about us, and on one side or the other of these bloodless battles all of us must arraign our- selves, and it is fitting, on a day like this, that we once more pledge our- selves to keep faith with America in the same manner as those noble heroes who have gone before us. “While it is impossible for us to do more than do honor to their memory and to erect a lasting memorial, ‘we can pledge ourselves anew te carry out the principles for which they made . the supreme sacrifice. We cherish their memory by erecting this memorial and by so doing we honor all who have died, whether their names be here record- ed or not, whether buried in the soil of their mother country, or whether buried in the blood-drench- | ed fields of France. “They are all silent sentinels for ages to come, and by their ever presence on duty, may the peace which their sacrifice won be ever se- cure, and may they ever watch over us and remind us that we too must keep faith with America in peace as they did in war.” C. F. Smith Delivers Oration of the Day “Upon this incomparable site over- looking the surrounding city and the | beautiful panorama which stretches beyond it to the far off hills, the City of New Britain has erected in honor of her citizens who served in the Great War this Memorial which we are met here today to dedicate. “On the north side of this shaft a tablet of bronze records the pride of the city that more than four thousand of her citizens served in that war, “The inscription in bronze on the south side of the shaft and the in. dividual tablets on-the circle of stone which surrounds the platform which it stands testify to our own and to following generations the pride and the sorrow of the city for | her sons to the number of one hun- dred and twenty-three who gave their lives to their country in that war. ** “Their names,’ so the inscription reads, ‘Are Here Inscribed; Their Mcmory Lives in the Heart of a Grateful City." “Here under the shadow of this | shaft draped with the flag gnd sur- mounted by the Eagle of Liberty, their names and service recorded in enduring bronze, here, wherever elge their bodies may lie, on land or in the sea, at home or in far coun- tris, or In unknown graves, here in spirit do they lie at rest, their duty done, their work accomplished, their fame secure. Not in our time can America’s great effort in that war be adequate- | ly described. The picture is too vast, we are t0o near yet to see it as whole, only in part can the his- torian of today describe it. Time 2nd distance only can give us the necessary perspective. But even now we can realize the grandeur of that cffort in which the new world threw its weight into the struggle to re- dress the balance of the old. it commemorates. These tablets we see about the circular base of the | memorial, each representing on-; man who died in the war, are silent | stories of sacrifice. heroism and pa- | triotism. Read them: they include every nationality and creed. men e | from every walk of life, men from | every corner of our city. United by a common hond. they marched on and on, until war exacted its toll and they fell—human sacrifices, martyrs | of 1917 and 1918. “It isa great honor to take a part. whether it be Jarge or small. in the Ardication of this memorial to the World War dead. Several years ago it was my privilege to apnoint a committoe to carry through this pro- inct. T have follawed with interest the work which has resulted in its construction. and share with you to- Aay. your happiness in ifs comple- tion. T hare with yvon kin of our *erion of Honor. your sorrow. “It shall he my endeavor to be a freanent visitor to this shrine of atriatism. T hope all of our citi- will do likewice, Patriotism | and good citizenship are inseparable. e | o .4 rens | of the doctrine of the “We are still near enough to those | great days to feel the thrill of pride | and of wonder which filled our hearts as we saw America gather together her mighty resources of every kind and send them with her millions of soldiers across three thousand miles of sea. * “It was and will remain one of the greatest epics of history. “Upon the battlefields of the French Republic the soldiers of the | | Great Republic of the west, fighting in a cause not altogether their own, brought to the sorely tried armies of the allies the moral and physical supnort that made victory secure, “There on a greater scale than ever before in the world's history, dempocracy and autocracy met in conflict. The result of that conflict broke down the political systems, re- arranged the houndaries of the pee- ples of Europe and disposed forever divine right of kings. “To all the soldiers of New Brit- ain who returned safely and in honor to their homes, there must he 3 pe- cullar pride and satisfaction in on | knowing they played their part ia these great events. “But thess ome hundred and twenty-thrpe men whose Dames are on these tablots, these could not see ere death closed their oyes, the re- sults of that great strugsie In which they gave their lives. “They could not know their cause victorious and civilisation secure. “They could not know lmlo .::- pressed ples of central - ern Eul s had regained thejr lib- erty and ‘were free to realize their national and racial aspirations. “They could not know that the old frontiers were broken down, the old rulers gone, and that democracy had established itself in the palaces of the discarded kings. “They who die in such causes do not die in vain. “God grant their spirits may be- hold the results for which they died! “To you, mothers and fathers and relatives of the illustrious dead, there must be a solemn pride, less- ening your sorrow, in the thought that these your sons who gave their lives on the altar of liberty have helped to change for the better the face of the world. “To you the city offers the only thing in its power to give—such consolation as you may find in this Memorial which shall perpetuate for generations to come their valor and their sacrifice. “To you, comrades of the dead, who with equal patriotism upheld the flag of your country but, more fortunate, returned unscathed, to you the city places on this shaft a tablet that records its pride in your service, “Fortunate is any city to have such sons. “To you, citizens of New Britain, who have erected this Memorial by which you have honored the city it- self as well as its valiant sons, as you contemplate its meaning and think of the supreme service even unto death that the nation may exact at need, think too of the sig- nificance of the names upon these tablets and draw a homely lesson therefrom. “The names upon this Roll of Honor represent all of the races of men of Europe and America. To read the roll is to see a cross-section of the people of New Britain. Dif- fering in race, language, religion and culture, unlike in ways of thought and action, these men like those elsewhere in the nation in similar communities under the stern call of their country and amenable to the discipline of war were welded into one compact body acting with one mind for one great purpose. “The strength of a city lies in the unity as well as the character of its citizens. “As these 5o different races of men were by the necessities of war welded into one single minded bodys %0 by the necessities of peace should our citizens of all races be drawn closely together by bonds of mutual understanding, sympathy and help- fuiness, so that they may work with a commen purpose for the common good. ““So shall this city realize its high- est ideals as it takes to heart this lesson from the tablets of the dead. “The aftermath of war finds Eu- rope still troubled and perplexed by the problems raised by the tre- mendous convulsions and readjust. ment of that great conflict. “Even so the waves of ocean still roll after the storm itself has sub- sided. “Peace in our own time, O Lord, is the prayer and object of her gov- ernments. How to secure it is the difficulty, “Very wisely has our own govern- ment joined the effort for the reduc- tion of armaments and the outlawry of war as a means of secttling dis- putes among nations. Let us pray that for no slight causes shall we disassoclate ourselves from that ef- fort. |” “Long, long may peace and tran- quillity dwell with us. “But we should be forgetful of the lessons of the past did we not know that always and everywhere the peoples of the earth have gained and maintained their freedom only upon the field of battle. “The foundations of the temples of liberty are cémented by the blood of her sons. In this world of swift changes and short memories where cach generation must apparently learn its own lesson by hard ex- perience, no one can tell when na- tions to whom the Great War shall then be as a dimly remembered thing shall once again meet in bat- tle. “Far away may the time be when the men of this city are again called to arms, but when that time comes then here beneath this Memorial to the soldicrs of an earlier time they shall find example and inspiration, “May they go forth with as high courage and complete devotion as those whom we here commemorate. “We dedicate this Memorial with gratitude, with sorrow and with pride to the brave men, living and dead, who took up arms at the call | of their country. | ‘Long may it stand looking out |over a city ly governed, given over to the arts of peace. “May no more war-like sounds disturb the quiet of this hilltop than the splash of fountains and the happy voices of little children. May wind and rain and storm be kind to it and spare it. “May the city which it overlooks cherish it, guard it, beautify it, and keep it from harm! ““And as often as men's eyes shall be lifted up to it may they think of | all that it signifies and of what in times of peace is their own duty as | citizens to a city and country for which these brave men gave their lives.” Benediction was given by Rev. Lucyan Bojnowski, pastor of Sacred Heart church. great NOVELIST COMMEMORATED Decatur. Ind.—A memorial tabtet to Gene Stratton Porter. Hoosier nature novelist is being placed in the Adams county courthouse yard here. Mrs. Porter came here as a bride and at her country home, “Limberlost.”” wrote many of her novels. - She was killed in an auto- mobile accident in California a few yea ago. SEE MEMORIAL PARADE PRECEDING DEDICATION OF MONUMENT Suday at War Nemora With more than 5,000 listeners thered about the World Wcr hemorlal shaft in Walnut Hill park, chmml of several denominations Joii yesterday In memorial serv- ices for the war doad. Rabbi Gersnon Hadas, and Rev, Dr. A. A. Ahlquist were the prin- cipal speakers. Rabbl Hadas spoke of, “The Boys Who Went Over and Came Bacl while Dr. Ahiquist had for his topic, “The Boys Who. Went Over to Remain.” Rev.-Dr. G. W. C. Hill, pastor of the South Congregational church, led the invocation, As the exere cises were being hrought to a.close, Rev. M. J. Traynor, pastor of 8t Mary's church, pronounced benedic- tion. John A. Lindsay, prominent in musical circles, was in charge of & chorus of 150 voices which he had assembled and _directed. Accom- panied by the Philharmonic band, the chorus sang patriotic and reli- gious selections. “August Klein was soloist. As the concluding item on the program, which had been prepared by a committee headed by Michael J. Kenney, members of the Am: can Legion drum corps echoed taps through the park. Address by Dr. Ahlquist Rey. Dr. Ahlquist spoke as fol- low “I need hardly say that I cen- sider it an honor, as certainly it i a great privilege to be allowed te speak here this afternoon. “We are making a pilgrimage to the graves of our heroes and we live again through those awful hours when men died that the world might survive. The contemplation of this treasured past around the altars of sacrifice sheuld work in individual and us the miracle of social regeneration. “Our holy dead will indeed have sacrificed in vain if thoss whe ought te follow up their triumphs of war with the still greater tri- umphs of peace surrender the pass. It American society is to be a fit- ting monument of the courage and devotion manifested here ,in 1917; and by all the conflicting powers from 1914 till 1918; then hom: 4 parents, churches and their mem- bers must live up to the great ideals for which eur lant sons fought and fell. The world war was avowedly waged for the future of the nations, but if we give way to that which is almost worse than war, luxury, excess, corruption, vice and crime, how shall then the nations benefit? By the memory of those who threw their youth away that we may live anew, let the youth of this day awake to manhood, righteousness and serviceableness. “May our devotion to our country and our adherence to all that is good and right in church and state be like that of a fine old gray- beard who, in an exchange of pris« oners was returned to France. The first thing he did upon arrival was to present himself at the ministry of war, and having been admitted to offer a bit of cloth siiged and dirty with the simple words: ‘Mon« sieur, T have the honor to return the flag flag’ Before the garrison capitulated the flag had been burned, but this soldier had de« tected the frayed bit and hastily concealed it upon his person, he kept the sicred remnant cless te his heart, and at length brought ft home. A glorious deed, symbelic of the simple soldier, like him in sacrifice and glory. “There is a meaning of our gathering today that relates ex« clusively to the mothers and fathers whose sons did not return from the fleld of war. They had more than their share of the storm of sorrow which then swept through the world. When the news came that this or that gallant dad had fallen in the fight or died in the hospital all things seemed to tremble bes neath the feet of these devoted parents. But they and their sons have a city which hath foundations and whose builder and -maker is God. That God gave them atrength and courage to crucify their fears | and to learn the meaning of sac- rifice, 1 often wonder that it never occurs to people who are always chattering about immortality to do something to deserve it. These mothers of the Golden 8tar and their offspring did not emulate those who try to convince themselves of immortality by sitting in darkened rooms and listening to far-off voices. They did something to earn it. “‘The destiny of America lies around the hearthstone,’ said Presi- dent Coolidge accepting the nomina- tion to be a candidate for the vice presidency. The hearthstone—the home—the family—there is the hope of America. But the hearthstone is an emblem. Beside it is enthroned the mother. 8he is the symbol of the great Empire of Motherhood. The Creator lays each new genera- tion in the lap of the mother; we have high warrant indeed for our belfef that ‘the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." If man can be joined to his mother agaim, no matter to what depths he has fallen, he will like the prodigal sem of old, come unto himself. This is why General Pershing in France as Mother's Day drew near, ordered all his soldiers to wrote a'letter home te mother, assuring the beys that their letters would he given priority in the mails. “Not alone upon the sweat and brawn that felled the trees is our | great nation built, but on the hearts | that broke and gave no sign. As 1 look upen the sweet and sad, yet | joyful countenances of these sacri- ficing mothers hefore me 1 am ree minded of the fact that when the Mayflewer returned there was not & woman aboard. All remained to (Continued on Following Page)