Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1917 — BIG DEMONSTRATION GIVEN NAVAL RECRUITS [ARTICLE]

BIG DEMONSTRATION GIVEN NAVAL RECRUITS

Six Patriotic Young Men Enlist in Navy and Are Given Fine Sendoff By Rensselaer. The announcement given in Friday evening’s Republican that the naval recruits would leave on the 7 p. m. train for Indianapolis and that there would be a meeting in their honor at the armory beginning at 6:30 p. m., called forth a mammoth crowd. The paper reached the readers about 5 o’clock but that seemed to be sufficient time in which to bring out a very large proportion of our citizens. On account of the limited .time it was impossible to give a program of any considerable length. The sight of the six manly young fellows, who of their own volition and free will had asked to be given a chance to defend Old Glory upon the high seas was inspiring. The occasion, was not a boisterous one but there was a tense feeling of patriotism which was clearly shown by the countenances of tho.se present. The reception to the boys was in charge of Major George H. Healey and J. J. Montgomery. The six patriots were Raymond Dixie, Wade Jarrette, Charles Serritella, John Reed James Barber and Cecil Lee. Patriotic airs were played by the band and short talks were given by Attornews W. H. Parkinson, Abraham Halleck and L. H. Hamilton. Miss Stover, who has charge of the music in the public school, together with a number of the high school pupil®, led the singing, which did much to make the impressive occasion even more tense. The meeting was opened by a prayer by Rev. E. W. Strecker, of the ■M. E. church.

Major Healey made a short talk and then asked that everyone present stand at attention while the 'band played “The Star Spangled Banner,’’ and as the last notes of this were sounded, everyone present saluted the flag. After this the boys were escorted to the depot by the band and the local volunteer company and hundreds of citizens, ’ _ ------- H. H. Smith, the recruiting officer who has been in the navy for fifteen years, was greatly pleased with the recruits and with the enthusiastic send-off given the boys. He said it was the very best he had ever .witnessed. .Boatswain Smith has a wife and family. After five more yeans of service he can be retired on a pension of $48.00 a month. Great credit is due to Recruiting Officer Montgomery for his untiring efforts in securing recruits and everyone should do everything possible to make the number as large as can be secured here. The honor of volunteering in the service of one’s country should be the supreme ideal of every patriot. . Young men who are thinking of entering toe service either of the army or navy should enlist here. To do so will honor our community and will greatly encourage others. Edward M. Honan, who had applied for admission into the navy, was rejected on account of a defective eye. When a young fellow in school here he was hit in the eye with a snowball and grat difficulty was had in saving the eye at all. Quite a number of young men have indicated their intention of entering the service and he who would discourage instead of encourage them is not a true patriot.