Memorial Day in Indiana, Pennsylvania in 1925 was a real gala event. In addition to all of the regular Memorial Day observance activities, this year also featured the unveiling of the Soldiers' Monument in Memorial Park. Click here to read more about the history of the Park, its former life as the old Lutheran Graveyard, and the furor over placing of the statue here.
The following is the outline of the day's events as they were printed in the Indiana Evening Gazette newspaper:
7:30 to 9:30 a.m. -- Placing of flowers and flags on graves in Indiana cemeteries G.A.R., Spanish War Veterans, and American Legion9:30 to 9:45 a.m. -- Assembly for Parade
9:45 a.m. -- Parade of Patriotic Organizations and Borough officials from Y.M.C.A. [now the Indiana Free Library] to Memorial Park Colonel Richard W. Watson, Chief Marshal.
10:00 a.m. -- Memorial Day exercises and ceremonies incident to dedication and presentation of Soldiers' Memorial Monument at Memorial Park.
Program
America; Boy Scout Band and audience
Invocation
Rev. J.C. Pinkerton, D.D.
Unveiling of Monument
Gold Star Mothers. (Band will play
Star Spangled Banner while monument is
being unveiled.)
Dedication of Monument to Veterans
Veterans of World War and presentation
to Indiana Borough Council, Indiana Chapter,
Mothers of
Democracy
Scripture reading
Mrs. Tillie D. Hosack, past president
Lord's Prayer
Mothers of Democracy
Dedication and Presentation Address
Mrs. Juliet White Watson, president
Acceptance of monument for Indiana
Borough
James W. Mack, Esq., president of
Borough Council
Hymn
Recessional (Kipling) - Ladies'
Chorus
Memorial Address
Hon. John S. Fisher
Song
Unknown Soldier - Samuel Moore
Reading of General Logan's Memorial Day
Proclamation
John H. Hill, Esq., Adjutant Post 28 G.A.R.
Memorial Exercised
Post No. 28, G.A.R.; Camp No. 71,
United Spanish War Veterans; Post No. 141,
The American Legion;
Indiana County Chapter, D.A.R.
Placing wreath on monument in memory of
deceased soldiers who attended Indiana Normal School
Dr. John A.H. Keith
Recessional
Flanders Field - by Ladies'
Chorus
Firing Squad Taps
3:30 p.m. -- Memorial Services for
Sailor dead at Twolick Creek, at foot of Cliffside Park
G.A.R. and Women's Relief Corps
5:30 p.m. -- Dinner for G.A.R. at Memorial Hall
The above order of exercises for Memorial Day is approved, J.M. Marshall, Commander, Post 28, G.A.R.
Memorial Day Committees
First Ward
[from the Indiana Evening Gazette, Monday, May 23, 1925]
"The program of Memorial Sunday observance here yesterday was carried out fully in every particular, notwithstanding the disagreeable weather conditions prevailing. There was a large turn out of Civil War Veterans and with the W.R.C. and Sons of Veterans, the affiliated organizations marched from the P.O. building to the First Presbyterian Church where the Rev. Dr. Hinett delivered an appropriate and pleasing address. The exercises in the Court House were conducted according to the ritual, largely, and here again an appreciative crowd assembled and listened eagerly to the program given. A feature of the evening entertainment was the presence of a quartette of singers under the leadership of Mr. J.R. King and two of the Civil War Veterans sang a couple of selections. These were Dr. William Hosack and E.M. Lydick. The Indiana High School Seniors contributed very materially to the success of the evening's entertainment by sending two of their number who acquitted themselves most admirably; these were Miss Jean Beers and Mr. Earl Streams. The eulogies for six deceased Veterans were given by Comrades and the addresses by three invited speakers were most pleasing and appropriate. They were gems along the line of patriotism and it is doubtful if ever their efforts have been surpassed on any similar previous occasion. They caught the audience with the superb manner of delivery as well as their carefully chosen words.
Memorial Sunday was most fittingly observed in this community and we look forward to Memorial Day on May 30th, when in addition to the usual ceremonies incident to the day, we unveil a monument to our heroes of the World War in Memorial Park, a program of which is given elsewhere in this article."