TO GREET HEROES

IOWANS TO WELCOME RETURNING RAINBOW DIVISION

IOWANS ANXIOUS TO MEET SOLDIERS

Indications Are That Trains Carrying One Hundred and Sixty-Eighth
Regiment Will Cross Iowa Border in Middle of This Week

A special dispatch from Des Moines says: With the troop trains bearing the One Hundred Sixty-eighth regiment back to the "home folks" now on their way, the great days of welcome which have been planned for weeks and looked forward to for many months are almost here. Unless the plans fail some where, the boys will reach the border of the state Wednesday and home town demonstrations will take place during Wednesday with the troop trains reaching Des Moines Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. This will fix the big celebration day in Des Moines on Thursday, May 15.

The great feature of the celebration will, of course, be the parade which under present plans is to take place Thursday afternoon with a big reception at the coliseum in the evening.

Reports reaching here show that everywhere all along the right of way of the railroads on which the boys will cross the state on their journey back to Camp Dodge, the people are eager to pay them homage and crowds from many parts of the state, particularly southwestern Iowa, are coming to Des Moines to join in the celebration there.

A great triumphal arch through which the regiment is to march, located on the mall to the west of the statehouse, has been completed. On its four pillars it bears the names of the battles in which the One Hundred Sixty-Eighth acquitted itself so nobly as to win for itself seven citations as a regiment for distinguished service.

The decorating of the business effects of the city and of the business houses, which began more than a week ago, is being completed now that the day of the homecoming is almost at hand.

The western league baseball season opens here Wednesday and on Thursday, the day the regiment comes back, all of the men in the regiment will be accorded places of honor at the baseball game. It is probable the game will be staged a little late in the afternoon, following the parade.

Bands are coming from many towns in the state, having offered their services fee to the entertainment committee in welcoming the returning men.

The two flags which constitute the regimental standard of the One Hundred Sixty-Eighth, beautiful new silk emblems, are now ready.


-source: LeMars Sentinel Newspaper, LeMars, Plymouth Co., Iowa; Friday, 13  May 1919