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Show Nation's Defenders Are Royally Banqueted Nine rahs for the Gunnison Red Cross girl3 and their loyal supporters support-ers was the accord given by the soldier sol-dier boys at the close of the banquet last Thursday evening. It was given with a vim and gave true evidence of the appreciation of the efforts put forth to give and do something for the returned soldiers. Never in the history of Gunnison has there been a function so well managed, so well appointed from every standpoint and so well and highly appreciated as the banquet tendered the soldier boys, their wives, sweethearts and parents, as ' that of Thursday of last week. Fully 200 guests were present and from the time they 3at down to the tables Iadened with "good things to eat" until the last bit of dessert had been served, there was joy and happiness on every1 face and too much of the goodies were stored away, adding another happy feature. The banquet was given at Peter-eon Peter-eon hall and the work of artisans was evidenced in the appropriate decorations. Festooned about the hall was an abundance of flags and bunting and the hall throughout had a most striking appearance. On either eith-er side of the hall two long tables had been prepared for the guests. A profusion of flowers of red, white and blue colors added brilliancy and happiness to the banquet hall. Promptly at 5:30 "mess" was sounded and the soldiers, together with their guests,' were met at the entrance by members of the reception recep-tion committee and seated at the tables. Immediately a bevy of Red Cross members, nattily attired in the conventional caps and aprons, gave attention to the banquet guests and here Is what confronted them: Grape Fruit Supreme Koast Beef Roast Lamb Roast Chicken Cold Boiled Ham Now Potatoes Green Peas Hot Rolls Fruit Salad and Wafers Ice Cream and Cake Oranges Bananas Green and Ripe Olives Pickles Coffee Just prior to "mess" call the soldiers sol-diers gave an exhibition drill, going through the "close order" and the "ceremony parade retreat" and all were ready for "what was coming" to them. In a brief address' Ernet L. Swalberg, in behalf of the entertainers, enter-tainers, bid the soldiers and their guests a most cordial welcome.. Mr. Swalberg praised the boys for their loyalty in responding to the call to arms when our country's freedom was endangered and 'deeply impressed im-pressed upon them that all were glad to have them with us again. Lionel! Sorenson, for the soldier boys, responded to Mr. Swalberg's address. He firmly impressed upon all that the soldier boys, as well as their guests, deemed the honor extended ex-tended by the Red Cross members and those who assisted one of the most appropriate and most cordial ever extended. Other interesting and entertaining entertain-ing features of the bansuet were a reading by Miss Erma Lundberg, solos by Miss Sylvia Willardson and Dick Collett, and a monologue by-Miss by-Miss Nora Mace. Miss Elma Fjeld-sted Fjeld-sted acted as accompanist. The banquet did not conclude the entertainment for the boys. Immediately Immedi-ately following the banquet the hall was cleared and at 9:30 a dance in honor of the returned heroes was given. Never has the spacious hall seen a merrier or more happy crowd. Soldiers in uniform, pretty women and Red Cross ' girls and civilians who had gathered to do homage to the "fighters" mingled together and amid the strains of sweet music, the serving of a delicious punch, a most delightful evening was spent. At two o'clock In the morning one of the best banquets and entertainments entertain-ments for the most appropriate occasions oc-casions ever held in Gunnison was brought to a successful close. |