HOW SAN DIEGO HONORED VETS ON MEMORIAL DAY 1921

One hundred years ago, when San Diego and the nation were still reeling from the death toll caused by the First World War as well as the influenza pandemic among those in military service, the city came together for an impressive Memorial Day parade and services marked by prayer and poetry to honor the nation’s dead and dying. The holiday was first observed to honor veterans who had fought in the American Civil War.

From the Evening Tribune, Monday, May 30, 1921:

BIG PARADE IS FIRST FEATURE OF DAY

San Diego observed Memorial Day today impressively, and the most auspiciously in its history, mindful of the honors due the hero dead increased by legions in the country’s service since the day was founded in memory of the fallen of the Grand Army and including lastly the heroes of the world war.

PARADE OPENS DAY

The long parade which marked the beginning of the observance of the day moved at 10 a.m. and found thousands of civilians assembled along the line of march from the foot of Broadway to Balboa Park, where the exercises were held in the organ pavilion was thronged for the memorial program there. The American flag was everywhere seen, and

in the parade was carried by the American Legion the largest flag on the Pacific coast it is believed, the legion having had one made that measures 26x52 feet. It was carried by 60 ex-service men of the legion.

Army, Navy and Marine forces headed the imposing parade, following the police detachment, with the Marines taking position ahead of the Army, which waived rightful place because the Marines had a band, while the Army forces did not and music was desired at the head of the column. The courtesy was accorded by Maj. Fitzgerald of the Army. Following the Navy representation there came the G.A.R. survivors, escorted by Sons of Veterans; United Spanish War Veterans, the American Legion, the R.O.T.C., Women’s Relief

SAN DIEGO HONORS VETERANS

corps of the Heintzelman and Datus E. Coon posts, the U.S. Grand and J.M. Howard circles of the Ladies of the G.A.R., Daughters of Veterans, ladies’ auxiliaries of the Sons of Veterans, Spanish War Veterans and American Legion and the Boy Scouts.

The parade disbanding at the Plaza de Panama and the G.A.R. alighting from automobiles, by which they were transported in the parade, the veterans passed to reserved seats at the organ pavilion down a splendid flag line formed by te women’s organizations.

PROGRAM AT ORGAN

At the pavilion the services were opened with prayer and organ selection by Marshall W. Giselman, followed by the audience singing “America,” under the leadership of L.D. Jones, and decoration of the cenotaph.