Decoration Day was observed in Odebolt Sunday by a union memorial service in the morning in the Presbyterian church, with the Rev. Fred Hall as the speaker, and in the afternoon at the park with the Rev. A. E. Abben, Rev. Mr. Hall, and Rev. J. A. Kettle giving brief addresses.
A large audience was present at the morning service, when the patriotic orders--members of the G. A. R., the American Legion, the W. R. C. and the Legion Auxiliary attended in a body, in memory of their deceased comrades and members in honor of whom this day is held sacred.
Odebolt has but three surviving members of the G. A. R.--comrades W. H. Hess, M. D. Fox and Henry Meyer. Capt. Hess is no longer able to attend the services, but Mr. Fox and Mr. Meyer were present, and were given seats of honor in chairs at the front, the Legion and women's societies following.
The program was carried out as published last week.
The music by the Union choir of eighteen voices, directed by Mrs. J. A. Kettle, was exceptionally fine at both the morning and afternoon services.
Proceeding [sic] the sermon, two young girls--Faye Nelson and Dorothy Coy, dressed in white, presented each of the veterans--Mr. Fox and Mr. Meyer--a basket of beautiful flowers which has been the custom for several years. Mr. Hess was also remembered with a basket of flowers at his home.
The sermon by the Rev. Mr. Hall, upon the subject--Dedicated To The Principles For which the Died--was a strong patriotic address, which held the close attention of the large congregation.
He brought out as the three great principles of our nation--Freedom, Union, Faith.
He spoke of battles of peace, of loyalty to the constitution, of faith in America; of the American home; of the church as the real Americanization institution, enlarging upon these themes in a practical way. He urged obedience to law as American citizens and a patriotic people.
An inspiring service was held at the park in the afternoon - Patriotic singing was followed by prayer by Rev. W. J. Loeck; reading of the orders of the day by M. D. Fox, commander of the G. A. R.
Mr. Fox is 84 years old, but he read the orders well, and in a voice that could be heard distinctly by the large company of people.
Clarence Cornish delivered "Lincoln's Gettysberg [sic] Address" in an impressive manner, and with a spirit that brought forcibly to the mind the immortal Lincoln.
The anthems by the choir were beautiful, the addresses fervent with patriotism, and with tribute to the living and the dead, who fought for their country.
At the cemetery, the ritualistic service was held at the unknown grave by the Woman's [sic] Relief Corps, and flowers strewn in memory of those who are buried in unknown graves in the southland or other places.
The salute in honor of the dead was fired by a squad of the Legion, under the command of commander Newman, and taps were sounded by Willard Larson.
The members of the Legion then decorated the graves of those who have been members of the orders represented, which closed the ceremonies of the day.
transcribed from microfilm by B. Ekse