Welcome Home 1919 Main Street

Welcome Home 1919 Main Street

Part of the series of the June 10, 1919 Welcome Home photos. See ID 100 for full Sentinel article.
Main Street is decked out for the celebration with a series of bunting and flags over the street, on the light poles and on the buildings. The Welcome Home arch at Main and Cass streets is in the far background. The parade ended here:

PARADE OF MARCHING HEROES IS BIG EVENT OF DAY
The parade was the first big feature of the day’s events and of greatest interest to all the people. It had been advertised to start at 10:00 o’clock from the armory but it required more time to get the men organized than was anticipated and it was about 11:00 o’clock before the marchers got under way.
At the armory every man's name was registered, so that the committee would have some record of the number in the parade.
The parade was by platoons, each platoon under command of a sergeant. A representation of the city police force led the parade, followed by Weldon and His Band. Then came the colors, followed by the officers. They were led by Major C C. Miner in command. Major Harry Yagle and Major C. F. Baccus.
600 Marchers in Line
The three majors were followed by captains and lieutenants forming in platoon front, followed by the men in platoons. In all there were 600 officers and men in the line.
As the marchers left the armory and swung into Newell street, the Oliver and city whistles began to blow. Church bells rang and this salute continued until ranks were broken on the public square. From Newell street the marchers came south on Clay and Benton streets passing the reviewing stand which was erected on the east side of the park. As the platoons passed the reviewing stand each commander in turn saluted the colors, giving the command. “Eyes Right."
On the reviewing stand were stationed the official reviewing commit­tee, the reception committee, G A. R Spanish War veterans and W. R. C. as well as widowed mothers of soldiers in the line.
It was a wonderful sight as these brave men marched forward, and one that Woodstock will probably never witness again. There were men of various divisions and regiments, over-seas men and those who had not been so fortunate, all mixed together. The sailors in their blue uniforms formed one big platoon that marched in the center between a first and second division of the soldiers.
As the men hove in sight a mighty shout of welcome from thousands of throats greeted them, which even the playing of the band and the din of whistles and bells could not drown. But the men, trained us only military men can be, kept their lines and marched forward with regular steps and strict attention for the commands of the officers over them.
After passing the reviewing stand, the long line of soldiers and sailors turned into Dean street. From there on corners had been assigned to the different organizations of the city, lodges, clubs and schools.
At the corner of South street they were greeted by the members of the Loyal Order of Moose. The cheers of the Moose barely died away when the boys heard the ovation tendered them by the A. F. & A. M. and the Eastern Star ladies at the corner of Lawrence avenue. St. John's school had a large delegation of the children at the corner of Fremont. Passing this corner ready for the turn around the flat-iron the marchers came in range to view the beautiful arch erected by the Odd Fellows. This arch was not placed over the street but was put up in the little park right at the turn. The Odd Fellows were in regalia and the members of the Canton in full uniform.
The Pleasant Valley Community club had a station in the center of the block on Tryon street. At South and Tryon streets the Elks were grouped to give the men a grand welcome.
The next corner was crowded with scholars of the public schools, accompanied by their teachers. The boys from Todd Seminary occupied the corner of Judd and Tryon and the scholars from St. Mary's school were lined up in front of the church singing patriotic song

1919