The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 2/Flag raising in Chicago

FLAG RAISING IN CHICAGO.

 

Bohemians and Slovaks of Chicago who know how to arrange impressive manifestations and whose welcome to Professor Masaryk in May of this year will not be easily forgotten have again distinguished themselves at the ceremony of flag raising on the lake front of Chicago, September 15th. The celebration took place as part of the government war exhibition in Grant Park. Twelve thousand people were in the line of march. At the head proceeded the Great Lakes Naval Band of 200 men, followed by a detachment of mounted police, commanded by Captain Ptáček. At the head of the parade proper were four officers of the Czechoslovak Army|, Lieutenants Holý, Niederle and Spaniel as well as Dr. L. J. Fisher, president of the Bohemian National Alliance|, now major in the medical service of the Czechoslovak Army; they were followed by officers of the Bohemian National Alliance and the Slovak League, by mounted Slovak men in national costumes, women in the picturesque dresses of the Bohemian and Slovak lands, Sokols in blue and red uniforms, Red Cross workers and members of fraternal and women’s societies. The number of spectators who were lined up on both sides of Michigan avenue was estimated at hundreds of thousands. At Grant Park the program was in charge of Professor J. J. Zmrhal, English Secretary of the Bohemian National Alliance. He introduced the speakers of whom the first was Lt.-Governor Oglesby, and the second was even more distinguished, namely, George Creel, Chairman of the Committee on Public Information. Both had much praise for the Czechoslovak soldiers and for the patriotism of Americans of Czechoslovak descent. The principal address was made by Charles Pergler, American delegate of the Czechoslovak National Council; the salient points of his address are reprinted else where in this issue. He is well known as a forceful and eloquent speaker and received tremendous applause.

No Bohemian manifestation would be complete without singing, and the United Bohemian Singing Societies made a great impression on the audience, which numbered about a quarter of a million people.