|
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Sherman, Texas Sherman Daily Democrat Thursday, November 11, 1920 pg. 1 ARMISTICE DAY IN SHERMAN Armistice Day dawned cold, but skies overcast, in Sherman Thursday. To those who remember the momentous nature of the day two years ago, Thursday seemed singularly quiet. All retail stores and most offices were closed, and the early morning streets were practically without people. Many Sherman nimrods, taking advantage of the ideal weather, hied to the rural districts at an early hour to shoot, or attempt to shoot, ducks, which have been flying in plentiful numbers over the city for the past two days. Duck dinners were enjoyed in many homes. Uncle Sam's postal employes were about the only persons in the city who did not observe at least a part of the day as holiday. Instructions were received at the local office the first of the week to open the office as usual on Thursday. ARMISTICE DAY WAS OBSERVED IN SHERMAN BY ALL PEOPLE Impressive Services Were Held at the First Baptist Church and Were Largely Attended First Baptist Church was the scene of an impressive service Thursday morning at 11 o'clock, just two years after the signing of the armistice which brought an end to blood shed on the Western front, when ex-servicemen of Grayson County gathered in uniform to do honor to the memory of departed comrades. The church auditorium was filled to its capacity by Sherman people gathered to witness and take part in the services observing a day which has become established as one of the most significant of American holidays. Adults, children of the public schools, and uniformed ex-service men took part in the program which began just a few minutes before 11 o'clock and ended forty-five minutes later. Salute at 11 O'clock The salute to departed service men was executed at exactly 11 o'clock - the hour of the day on which hostilities ceased two years ago, and the same hour on which former service men all over the Nation were executing a like action in memory of those boys who failed to return. Facing west, the men stood at attention for one minute before 11 o'clock, then at the significant moment, in unison, executed a smart salute. The remainder of the service was built round this significant part. The assembly repeated the American Creed in unison. Dr. Cathrell Speaks Dr. George F. Cathrell recounted the sufferings and sacrifices made by American boys in the service, and those who watched and waited for those who served. "We can never forget; though we can never realize the full extent of your sufferings. Not only will we remember the great spirit of your of your sacrifice, but the whole spirit of the people; that spirit of self-abandonment and idealism which threw itself upon the altar of sacrifice for a great cause. It was a cause greater than material gain." Here Rev. Cathrell recounted the objectives for which America had fought - that Democracy and justice and humanity might prevail. "As long as your name is venerated, and that will be through the ages, we take covenant with you that your thoughts will be consecrated to realization of these ideals." A group of patriotic songs and melodies were sung by 500 school children, under the direction of Miss Fannie Gafford, after which Dr. F.F. Brown spoke for ten minutes. He referred to the sacrifices which had been made and the necessity for perpetuating the memory of these sacrifices. First Baptist Church History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |