1930 37th Division Battle Monument Commission Report of Activities

This document is a report of the activities of the 37th Division Battle Monument Commission. It is dated September 1st, 1930 and is found in the Frank Gerlach file.

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Wooster, O. Sept. 1, 1930

To the members of the 37th Div. A. E. F. Vets. Ass’n The 37th Div. Battle Monument Commission herewith submits a report of its activities during the past year.

The principal duty performed by the commission was the dedication of the memorials erected by the State of Ohio commemorating the achievements of the 37th Division in France and Belgium.

On September 12, 1929, members of the Battle Monument Commission and about two hundred former members of the division and their families and friends proceeded to Europe for the dedication ceremonies and a tour of the battle fields of France and Belgium.

The pilgrimage was received everywhere in Belgium and France with the greatest courtesy and enthusiasm. The motor trips over the battle fields of the 37th division and opportunity to visit many other sectors of the western front.were most profitable and very much enjoyed. The visit of the party to American cemeteries and the graves of the unknown soldier at Brussels and Paris where appropriate ceremonies were held and the respect paid to many Belgium, French and English cemeteries was one of the outstanding privileges of this trip. It is not the intention of this report to go into the details of the tour other than a brief report of the dedication.exercises. [sic]

On September 26, the party arrived at Eyne, Belgium, where 15,000 persons has assembled to witness the dedication of the Memorial Bridge.

The bridge, a massive concrete structure, although not entirely completed, wad beautifully decorated; the speakers’ stand and all other details for carrying out the ceremonies were elaborate in every respect.

The ceremonies started promptly at 2:30 P.M. Monsigneur Coppetiers, Bishop of Ghent, extended his blessing to the bridge; and immediately thereafter, Mrs. F. C. Gerlach, wife of the president of the Battle Monument Commission, cut the ribbons that opened the bridge to traffic. The president of the Commission officiated the ceremony of sealing the parchment, which corresponds to our corner stone laying. The Belgium National Anthem was played the Pilgrimage band and the American National Anthem by the Belgium Military Band, and there was music by the band of Eyne.

The party proceeded to the speakers’ stand where there were assembled many dignitaries of Belgium, both military and civil, and personal representatives of the King of the Belgians and the American Embassy at Brussels.

The meeting was presided over by the president of the commission, who after a few introductory remarks, introduced Captain L. H. Norton of the Commission and the personal representative of the Governor of of Ohio, who brought the greetings of the governor and

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formally presented the Bridge to the Commune of Eyne. Captain Norton’s address was delivered in French. The address of thanks by the Burgomaster, Clacys-Bouaert of Eyne, was given in Flemish, French and English. The address by General Maton, representing the Belgian Army, was given in English. He brought the greeting and the thanks of the King of the Belgians for the part the division took in bringing about the termination of the war. Then came the brilliant dedication address of Colonel Ralph D. Cole, which, as you may expect, was a masterpiece of oratory. Colonel Cole’s address afterwards was translated in Flemish and was received with much applause. There were songs by school children and music by the local band. Five hundred pigeons, doves of peace, were released during the ceremony. The dedication service came to a conclusion at the sounding of taps.

At Ghent that evening the Commission entertained the Belgian dignitaries who took part in the ceremony and which was attended also by the members of the Pilgrimage. An elaborate banquet, in keeping with with the Belgian customs was served, and a most pleasant evening enjoyed. After joining in a toast to the King of the Belgians, followed by a toast to the President of the United States, the party adjourned and returned to Brussels.

On September 29, the Memorial Hospice was dedicated at Montfaucon. The ceremony was similar to that at Eyne, Belgium. M, Andre Tardieu, then the Minister of the Interior, and now Premier of France, was the master of ceremonies. After a few preliminary remarks by the president of the commission, the Hospice was formally presented to the Commune by Captain Norton as the personal representative of the Governor. The presentation was responded to by civil authorities representing the canton, commune and department. On this occasion, Captain John McSweeney delivered the dedication address, which also was a masterful oratorical success. His address was afterwards translated into French. The closing address was delivered by the Minister of the Interior, M. Andre Tardieu, who spoke in French and English, and brought the best wishes and greetings from the President of France.

After these ceremonies were completed the party proceeded to the Hospice where the work received the blessing of the Bishop of Verdun and the parchment was inserted and sealed in the corner stone. The procession reformed and proceeded to the Town Hall where the of Honor was served by the Commune to the Pilgrimage party and the French authorities. That evening a banquet was given in honor to our French guests.

The military and civil authorities in Belgium and France cooperated in every respect to make the dedication exercises a success. Large detachments of Infantry, Cavalry, and Gendarms were furnished to handle the crowds. Much credit is due the Pilgrimage band for the part it took in making the occasion a success.

The thanks of the commission are extended to Colonel Ralph D. Cole and Captain John McSweeney for the excellent dedication addresses.

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While it was regretted that the memorials were not entirely completed, it was necessary to carry out the Pilgrimage program. The bridge is now finished. Our French architect advises that the Hospice will be completed on September 15.

The commission desires to thank the members of the Pilgrimage party for their cooperation and assistance in making the dedication of the memorials a success.

Respectfully submitted,

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