A beautiful and impressive service marked the lowering of
the service flag at the First Methodist church yesterday morning. The
congregation filled the auditorium and Sunday school room completely and
overflowed into the aisles and entrances. It probably was the largest gathering
ever seen in the church before. Mrs. J.W. Shuford, who had three sons in the
service, received the flag and handed it to the pastor, Rev. W.O. Goode, who in
feelingly accepting it declared that the gold stars on it would be placed on a
white background and suspended in the church as a memorial to the young men who
had lost their lives for country, church and home. That was the suggestion put
forth by Maj. J.H. Shuford, one of the four speakers.
The ceremony was nearly two hours long, but the congregation
was so interested in it that time did not drag. Splendid music was rendered
during the morning, the prelude by the orchestra and a solo by Mrs. J.H.
Shuford being especially enjoyable.
Another feature of the service that appealed particularly
was the rising of so many young people who had been in the service. Most of
them sat in the rear of the Sunday school room, and they rose to their feet at
the suggestion of Major Lyerly. It was a fine company of young men.
Mr. Goode presided over the service and first called upon
Dr. Shuford, a major in the medical service, who, after speaking of his
pleasure at being present, declared that the flag of 71 stars thrilled him. He
knew personally some of the men represented by those stars, one represented by
a gold star was a good friend of his, and he suggested that the gold stars be
placed on another flag and be kept before the congregation to commemorate the
fidelity of the young men.
Dr. Shuford told of the landing in France, of the assignment
to base hospital 65, where there was neither water nor fuel. The 200 nurses in
the unit bore their hardships like heroines, and he took occasion to pay
handsome tribute to the young women who left their homes in America to render
aid to the soldiers. Other speakers also paid fine tribute to these noble
women. Dr. Shuford said there were 2,000 flue cases at this hospital. As
showing the type of American doughboy, the speaker referred to the injury of a
French child and of his being ordered to visit the child every day. The doctor
knew no French, but he found a private at the hospital who could act as
interpreter. The speaker expressed his joy that so many of the Hickory men returned
to their homes and he appealed to them to stand for the best interests of the
community and the nation.
In presenting Mr. R.H. Shuford, who served with the Marines,
but who did not get across, Mr. Goode declared that it was no fault of the young
man. All could not go to France. Mr. Goode referred to Miss Abernethy, a member
of the church, who is represented by a red star, she having done Red Cross
nursing in France.
Mr. Shuford at the outset said he could not hope to tell the
audience anything about the war, but he attempted to interpret the emotions and
thoughts of the men who had donned the uniform of the country. They are back in
civilian life again, ready to put on the uniform again if necessary in defense
of country. Has any change come over these men? Are they different from what
they were when the war started? He thought they were. They have the religion of
their fathers, but they are not interested in creeds and dogmas, will not spit
hairs over non-essentials, and are more sympathetic and tolerant of others than
before. He thought this was true. Mr. Shuford did not think the American
soldier would care for doctrinal distinctions, but he would cling to his
religion. Now the task of the young man is to find out how he can best use his
patriotism and the speaker thought it would be applied in helping to solve the
social and industrial problems. Turning to the flag, Mr. Shuford said the gold
stars in it were calling to those who returned to “carry on.”
Mr. Goode agreed that there would be no more splitting of
hairs over non-essentials, and he was glad that the great fundamentals of
religion were not shaken He was glad that the men believed in a personal savior
and a personal God.
Lieut. Laurence Cline, who had not expected to make a talk,
was called to the pulpit by the pastor and consented to say a few words. He
briefly sketched the trip across the water two years ago, and told of seeing
men by the score waiting their turn to enter the field hospitals. He told of
his time in July, 1918, when his unit lost two men by a German airplane bomb.
That shocked everybody in the company.
A year ago, said Lieutenant Cline, “we started from
Bellicourt to crack the Hindenburg line.” North Carolina boys hit it, and this
congregation should be very proud of them. When we started, he said, we did not
know when we would return.
Mr. Goode, in thanking the lieutenant for his fine talk, referred
to Capt. Ben Dixon’s fine example and death in the attack on the Hindenburg
line. Twice wounded, this young officer refused to go to the rear, and he fell
dead with a bullet in his head. He displayed the grit and strength that was
common property of the American soldiers.
Maj. Geo. L. Lyerly was the last speaker on the program and
he spoke feelingly of the part played in the war by North Carolinians. It
looked like the world was gone in 1917, but the American boys rallied to their
flag and gave their best. Briefly he told what his battalion did in releasing
gas on the enemy. It rebuilt an old railroad in front of the American trenches
and moved up 72 cars of gas, a foot at a time, to where it could be released on
the enemy. Discovery meant certain death. Bullets from machine guns peppered
the area and it was to wipe out these nests that the gas was to be discharged.
The men waited six hours for the opportunity. When the wind changed, the enemy
was sprayed, but unfortunately 20 North Carolinians were killed by their own
gas and 50 injured. Men in the battalion went back two or three times for the
wounded, in face of great danger, and this was heroism for you.
Major Lyerly told of the attack on the Hindenburg line on
September 29 last. The men had it in their hearts to break the line and release
the French people held captive for four years. He had never believed the
stories of German cruelty, but he saw with his own eyes a boy with his arm cut
off and a girl with her leg removed. From that day the major was ready to
believe anything.
At the close of his address, Major Lyerly urged the boys who
had served under the Stars and Stripes to rise and there was a great host to
stand. It was an inspiring sight.
The flag was then lowered, received by Mrs. J.W. Shuford,
who folded it and handed it to Mr. Goode to be placed in the church archives.
The congregation was dismissed with the benediction.
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