LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
May 31, 1932
PAY TRIBUTE SOLDIER DEAD
Community Gathered At Cemeteries Monday to Strew Flowers on Graves
RABBI LEWIS SPEAKER
Thousands Join In Annual Decoration Day Service
This community joined in its annual tribute to its soldier dead on
Decoration Day by holding brief services in both the cemeteries and
decorating the graves of hundreds whose bodies rest in these hallowed spots.
The day was pleasant for outdoor exercises and the program as previously
announced was carried out without change.
The column formed on North Central Avenue and at 9:15 moved to St. Joseph’s
cemetery in the following order:
Colors, LeMars Military Band
Co. K
Mayor
Speaker and G.A.R. Spanish-American Veterans
American Legion
Woman’s Relief Corps
Brick Camp and Wasmer Post Auxiliaries
Fire Department
Boy and Girl Scouts
Wasmer Post Drum Corps.
Jacob G. Koenig was marshal of the day and with Clark Bolser, commander of
Wasmer Post, headed the parade, followed by three color bearers, all being
mounted on white horses loaned by the Shrine patrol of Sioux City.
At St. Joseph’s cemetery the following program was given:
Song by school children
Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, Carl Tentinger
Song by school children
Logan’s Order, Leo Groetken
Decoration of graves and taps
The column then moved to the City cemetery where several thousand people had
gathered to await their coming. Loud speakers had been set up so that all
might hear the program as they stood grouped around the soldier monument in
the center of the cemetery.
Two Civil War veterans, Commander J. C. Ruble and A. W. Crouch, were present
to participate in the service. Rev. F. E. Burgess assisted Mr. Ruble in
presiding.
The program opened with a prayer by Rev. A. Z. McGogney, a selection by the
band and reading of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address by Laura Mae O’Banion and
of Logan’s Decoration order by Alice Hoorneman.
Before reading the G. A. R. ritual, Commander John C. Ruble announced that
he would be 90 years old next December 17 and that he might have to call on
Rev. Burgess to complete the reading but the aged veteran read the service
through in a clear, distinct voice that was heard by the large crowd.
The decoration service for the unknown dead was in charge of the Relief
Corps, Spanish American and Legion Auxiliaries assisted by the Boy and Girl
Scouts and following the same groups decorated all soldier graves in the
cemetery.
Rabbi Theo. N. Lewis, of Sioux City, delivered the address. He told of
standing three years ago in a cemetery at Belleau Wood in France where 2200
American soldiers were buried and asking what it was that had called for
this supreme sacrifice from them. He quoted in reply Wilson’s statement
that America went into the war to make the world safe for democracy and to
end all war. He urged his hearers to keep in mind these objectives and to
continue to strive for them. He said we have the best government in the
world and that with all its faults it is far superior to any other
government the mind of man has conceived.
“Star Spangled Banner,” by the band, a salute by the firing squad from Co.
K, the invocation by Rev. Vollmar and taps by two buglers closed the
program.
While only two Civil War veterans were able to participate in the Decoration
day exercises, there are ten living in Plymouth County, four of them being
members of Mower Post. Their average age may be guessed when it is recalled
that Mr. Ruble was a boy of twenty when he acted as Orderly for Gen. Meade
at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863.
The following Civil War veterans are still living in Plymouth County:
A. W. Crouch, LeMars;
J. D. Billings, who is ill at the home of a daughter in Leeds;
U. B. Keniston, Akron;
Hugh Mason, Kingsley;
W. O. Morse, Akron;
Adam C. Phillips, Kingsley;
John C. Ruble, LeMars;
Henry Schneider, Hinton;
Henry Smith; Westfield;
Davis Yount, James.
~Submitted for posting by volunteer, Linda Ziemann
