Sergeant James Hawk prepare a speech for the Grand Opening, "We stand before us a great remember to the Boys of the Grand Army of the Republic. We Sons of Veterans Reserves pay great respect those Iowans who went off to fight the War of the Rebellion in our nation great threat to our country.
On this fine day, We can look at this fine G. A. R. Display at the Historical Building. We have to remember the Grand Army of the Republic. We have to teach our next generation of children and our next generation of children, what the Grand Army of the Republic did for our country during the War of Rebellion and after the war.
That's is why as Sons of Veterans we stand on this Day November 11, year of our lord 2001. We need to remember the Boys who never madeit home and the boys who sacrificed so much to keep our nation as one in our darkiest period in our nation history.
I would like to read a peom to remember this date It's called Our
Honored Dead.
Where are those men, who sprang to arms when old Fort Sumter
Fell? The land was
Filled with alarms. They left loved homes with all filled with all their charm and served their country well. From city large to village small a living deluge poured. From Blacksmith's forage. from college hall, from forms, professions, tradesmen-all rushed where the conflicted roared.
Forward they went, as strong defense, to guard our country then. Nor wavered, in extreme suspense,but with an order, most intense, they fought, as loyal men. He loved the flag, for which they fought, for it he gave his life. Its inspiration he had caught and breathed its gragrance while he wrought those four long years of strife.
Oh! Glorious banner of the free! Thy stars will never grow dim and for centuries yet to be under thy folds, posterity will sing our Nation's hymn. Our Boys in Blue and where are they? They kept our flag on high in freedom's air and they're to stay and conquered them who wore the gray? Ah most them now lie.
Oh! Honored Dead Oh! Glorious souls, yours names are written high
upon the page of histroy's scolls and white the earth in orbits rolls they
never, never die.
It was written by T. R. Armstrong of Fairbury, Nebraska