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Memorial Day In Ann Arbor

Memorial Day In Ann Arbor image
Parent Issue
Day
2
Month
June
Year
1893
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Foi' a wonder, Memorial Day dawned clear and bright, not a single cloud was visible, and stranger still the day ended as it had begun, warm and pleasant. Such a day is calculated to instill into the hearts of men a thankfulness to their Creator for the life they are permitted to live, and a desire to show their appreciation. In the morning the Ann Arbor Light lnfantry paraded according to custom, and in the afternoon those places of business which had remained open during the morning closed their doors and their owners prepared to aid the G. A. E. in their celebration services. At 2 p. m. the Welch Post, No. 37, G. A. R., J. T. Jacobs Camp, No. 90, S. of V., the W. R.;C, and the Ann Arbor Rifles ruarched to the Fifth Ward Cemetery, where a large eoncoiirse of )eople were gathered around the soldiers' monument under the leadership of J. M. Perkins. The ensuing ceremonies were very impressive. Commander Sessions read the G. A. R. ritual for the occasion, and comrade Robert Campbell offlciated as chapain. After appropriate recitations by W-issos Mildred Ware and Ada Minckey, the children sang and the assembly decorated the graves with flowers. Capt' C. II. Manly, in a speech that was very well received, explained to ;he cliildren the meaning of Memorial Day. From the Fifth Ward Cemetery the assembledpeople proeeeded to Forest Elill Ceme'tery, while a delegation was returning from the pleasant task of decorating St. Thomas Cemetery. After the graves had been decorated m Forest Hill Cemetery and the ritual read at the grave of Col.Norval Welch, whose name the local post bears, Miss Nellie Mingay recited in a manner that showed her appreciation of the subject matter, "You Have Missed my Father's Grave." In the evening University Hall was filled with people. Punctually at 8 o'clock, Comni ander Sessions called the assemblage to order. On the platform were seated Commander Sessions, Past Commander Dean, Kev. J. M. Gelston, Kev. J. W. Bradshaw, Rev, Washington Gardner, the speaker of the evening, and about 100 children onder the leadership of Miss Luey Cole, assisted by Miss Anna Robinson, After brief remarks by Commander Session the ehildren sang "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground"' in a way that showed how much care Miss Cole and her assistent had taken in their prepation. Scripture was read and prayer offered by Rev. J. W. Bradshaw, and the choir sang 'Cover Them Over with Beautiful Flowers." Misses Nellie Mingay and Blanche Aiïspach then distingnished themselves. Miss Mingay by reciting "The Roll Cali," and Miss Anspach by de' livering "Searehingfor the Dead," in such a realistic manner as to bring tears to the eyes of many present. The oration of the evening was delivered by Rev. "Washington Gardner. He reviewed the history of onr country, and endeavored to illustrate to the ehildren the value of the liberty they enjoy, and the necessity of appreciating their great legacy. "The past is secure, what inay be the possibilities of the future 't Young men and women will be unfaithful to their fathers, if not faithful to the flag for which they sacriticed their lives." The oration was an excellent one, and left a deep impression. After the ehildren had sung "Speed our Republic," Rev. J. M. Gelston delivered the benedictiou, and the assembled people departed, feeling that they had passed a profitable evening.

Article

Subjects
Ann Arbor Argus
Old News