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Show BTG RFD CROSS PARADE. Following Is an extract from a letter let-ter from Shirley Atkln of San Francisco, Fran-cisco, written to his parents here concerning con-cerning the big Red Cross parade which Is of special Interest Just now: "A week ago Saturday I took a day off to see the Red Cross parade. T was down town at 9:3H and already al-ready the crowd was gathering. Officers Of-ficers were stretching cable on the outside of the sidewalks and across all Intersecting streets so that no traffic could disturb the parade. Along Market street, which is the orlnclpal street of this city, for a distance of about two mfles, a continuous con-tinuous string of people eight and ten deep on each side of the street, were anxiously waiting for the nn-rade. nn-rade. Tt started at 10 o'clock anfl continued nnttl 12:30. It surelv was a monstrous affair. There were twenty bands Infersnerced among fortv thousand women of ovcrv nationality, creed, and ar" Peine a Red Cross parade. It "was made up almost entirely of women, the onlv exception being a few hands and a few companies of soldiers sailors, and marines. Everv churrh store, and organization In the c'tv was represented. There were units of colored women. Chinese. .Tans, nnrt tbo p-lrls of all the schools. Floats of course Trere In evidence, but te r"osf beautiful and expressive slehts wc"p the old women carrying their beloved service flags. Not a few of these flags were decorated with gold ! stars, signifying that their sons had i been lost in the struggle. Their de-i de-i meaner displayed their determination to find consolation from their grief in Red Cross work. The simple white gowns. decorated only with the red crosses, presented in such a great mass was the most beautiful sight I have ever witnessed." |