WHO MARCHES NEXT MEMORIAL DAY?

Who marches next Memorial Day?

Speak up, brave comrades: let men say

"The Post turns out in force this year"­

Grant's veterans, Sherman's infantry,

Sheridan's tireless cavalry,

Farragut's sea-dogs without peer;

Tireless and fearless in the past,

Bear yourselves proudly to the last,

Though years fly fast and death draws near.

Who'll bear the dear old Flag-the bright

 Tri-colored banner, red and white

As sunset's glory, spotless snow,

On whose broad field of heavenly blue

The golden stars of statehood true

Like bivouac fires divinely glow?

'Tis but a wisp of silk: the staff

Light as a boy's slight wand. You laugh­

They seemed so, forty years ago.

Not the old colonel tried and true,

Nor his stout major; in review

Or march they'll lead us nevermore.

 Some captains brave, lieutenant gay,

Or sergeant proved in march and fray,

Succeeds to the command they bore:

When, waking from the spell of peace,

In memories proud we felt surcease

Of pain and donned the blue once more.