While preparations by F.I. Goodburn Post No. 517 American Legion had been made for the usual Memorial Day services held at Marcus-Amherst Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. service at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery on Monday, May 30, 2022, the weather wasn’t going to allow these services to happen. A severe thunderstorm was predicted at about the time of the Marcus service as well as a tornado watch until 6 p.m. Arriving at the cemetery at 9 a.m. we were told the services had been canceled. And, the rain did come as predicted!
Four new names have been added to the Military Wall at the front of the cemetery. Those are: Milt Delperdang, Irvin Deichmann, Max Drefke, and Jim Hoefling.
I went back in my files and found that the weather in 1917 didn’t cooperate and following the march to the cemetery, the rest of the program was in the basement of the Catholic Church. The program couldn’t be cancelled as the Governor of Iowa was the speaker. This was years before the F.I. Goodburn Post No. 517 American Legion was formed. This service rendered that day is as follows:
Memorial Day Service Held in Church Basement
May 31, 1917—Rain Drizzles as Flower of Tribute is Paid to the Dead—Large Crowd Here Despite Muddy Roads. A large crowd was expected in Marcus but owing to rain, the speaking was held in the basement of the Catholic Church.
Veterans buried in the cemetery were remembered as: R.W. Heath, H.D. Chatterton, Wm. Langham, H.A. Haynes, Jacob Hopkins, R.M. Porter, Thomas Chapman, Levi M. Ames, T.W. Atwood, Leopold Frank, S.W. Weaver, J.R. Booth, J.D. Wirt, Wm. Countermine, A.H. Heller, Issac DeHart (Confederate), and Henry J. Goodburn. Those surviving veterans were remembered as: Dan Melter, N.T. Well., Ed Rose, S.D. Conaway, P.B. Nelson, and D.M. Prunty.
Marcus was highly honored yesterday by the visit of Gov. W.L. Harding. The heavy rains of Tuesday night, which made the roads very heavy, was all that prevented Marcus from entertaining on Decoration Day perhaps the largest number of people ever assembled here. Large delegations from all surrounding towns and communities had made plans to come, but were unable to come by auto, owing to the conditions of the roads.
Governor Harding and party arrived on the morning Clipper. They were given a royal welcome at the station. The Marcus band was playing as the party alighted from the train and escorted to cars waiting for them. One car carried a large banner on which was inscribed, “Welcome Governor Harding.”
The governor was guest of honor at a luncheon tendered by the Commercial Club in the basement of the Methodist Church. An address was given by L.J. McGivern, to which Gov. Harding responded in his usual pleasing manner. He spoke upon pressing problems and the duties and responsibilities of the business man.
Promptly at 1:30, the people of Marcus and those who had come from a distance marched to the cemetery to place their flower of tribute upon the graves of the departed soldiers. The exercises were carried on through a drizzling rain yet the large numbers of people who came remained until the close. The veterans who honored the occasion by their presence were: Dan Melter, Ed Rose, S.D. Conaway and N.T. Well. P.B. Nelson, a Civil War veteran, is ill and was unable to attend.
According to time-honored custom, Lincoln’s immortal Gettysburg address was given. It was delivered by Mr. L.H. Talcott in a pleasing manner. Music was rendered by the Marcus band and a chorus. The “Human Flag” which was to have been in the parade, was composed of about seventy girls dressed in red, white, and blue. It was impossible to put on the drill, owing to the muddy roads.
Owing to the rain, it was found impossible to carry out the remainder of the exercises at the school grounds and Gov. Harding spoke in the basement of the Catholic Church, which was filled to overflowing. His address was cut somewhat short as it was necessary for him to take leave upon the 3:10 train.
The governor’s speech in part was as follows: “We are here today in a strange mood. Our purpose is to lay our flower of tribute on the graves of soldiers who rendered service to their country during the dark period of the ‘60’s. This memorial is changed on this occasion because of the world war of which we are a part. Our memorial today therefore becomes an opportunity for us to pledge anew our loyalty to the cause for which the boys in blue fought and to consecrate our lives to the service of our country and the world in this mighty struggle for the maintaining and establishing of democratic principles everywhere.”
“It is not for those of us of the younger generation to join these gray haired veterans in the memory scenes that must come before them at this hour. As they stand here they think of the days when they volunteered, when they said goodbye, when they marched away and then the long days in camp. They think of the battle field, of the death of a comrade, and of the hardships and privations that go with war. We can only think about these things; but they actually lived them.”
“I am trying to impress upon our people in Iowa that this war is not a temporary affair…that the best judgment of the men who are in a position to know is that it will last from three to five years more. I want everybody to get that thought in mind in this state because we ought to be prepared for the very worst. I feel that our people are in sympathy with our form of government and what it stands for, and that they can better take care of themselves and all that it means to them in the days to come by knowing and realizing the true situation now.”
“Iowa must come to the aid of the federal government now and take these liberty loan bonds. The people who will have accumulated must subscribe so that the government will have the money to carry on the war. The sooner we realize the full meaning of this war and take up the burden of preparation, the sooner the war will end. In other words, we must get into a frame of mind where we will appreciate the seriousness of the contest we are in.”
“In this connection our people should give liberally to the Red Cross. They should give until it becomes a sacrifice. The man who can afford to give and does not make a liberal contribution to the Red Cross is a slacker.”
“I know it is hard to get the people in Iowa to realize that the food question is serious. I want to say now that unless we begin to put away everything that can be preserved, canned or dried, many of our people next winter will be without food. This will not be the fault of the person who is hungry, but will be due to conditions over which he has no control.”
“Now is the time to begin the charity work that must be met next winter. Each housewife who possibly can should put enough in the cellar to feed her own family and another of equal size.”
“I am proud of the response that is coming from Iowa people in connection with the registration on June 5. So far every bit of the work has been voluntary. It will not cost the federal government a cent to take the war census of Iowa.”
“The food question will be vitally important next winter. So will the fuel question be important. It is our hope that within the next sixty days we can do something to relieve the coal situation. This is now under investigation and I am confident we will find the cause of the alleged shortage of coal in the state.
In that same edition it is printed: Next Tuesday to be Observed. Next Tuesday is an important and unusual day in our history. It is a day when all men between the ages of 21 and 31 will register their names to be called upon for service to their country. The city council will have the day in charge and in response to the desires of Gov. Harding, it will be a day in given to solemn thought and patriotism. Appropriate exercises will be carried out. It is planned for a parade to be formed on Main Street at two o’clock. It will be made up as follows: Color bearer, Veteran soldiers, Sons and daughters of soldiers, City Council, Marcus band, Children of Public and Parochial School, and Citizens. They will march to the school grounds where the exercises will be held. Music will be furnished by the band and a chorus. Addresses will be made by B. Radcliffe, L.J. McGivern, Dr. F.E. Loomis, and Floyd Hamilton.
It is a day for consideration for those who are going to serve their country—a day for solemn thought and consecration and it is the purpose of those in charge to make it this sort of day. It is expected that all patriotic citizens who can will turn out to participate. President Wilson has declared next Tuesday a holiday and Governor Harding has requested that all stores be closed upon that day. It is not a day for hilarity and dress parade, but one for solemn thought and true patriotism and consideration for the boys of ’17. Badges have been received by the ladies of the Red Cross to be given to those who register.