Only a month after D Company returned home to ovations from the grateful citizens of Marion, Ohio, the United States declares war with Germany. The news is daily covering the events in Europe and the u-boats sinking of ships in the Atlantic and also of occasional raids still occurring by Pancho Villa’s raiders on or near the border.
Soon the news will be reporting about the mustering of the National Guard back into Federal service and the drafting of men into the regular Army to be trained and sent overseas to fight in the Great War. Much preparations will need to be made to train and equip the new army. The recent recruitment, training and movement of soldiers to the border will be seen as a dress rehearsal for months to come. And the lessons learned by the officers of the Great War will be invaluable in the war to follow, World War II.
In the mean time we see that Marion, Ohio, is not only proud of the soldiers for their service, but they are more than willing to step up and serve in many ways here and abroad. On Memorial Day of 1917 they come out with great patriotism.

Memorial Day 1917

From the Marion Daily Star dated 31 May 1917

WAR SPIRIT OF
1917 IN PARADE
_____________________
Greatest Memorial Day Procession
Ever Seen Here
_____________________
THOUSANDS OF SCHOOLS
CHILDREN DO THEIR BIT
_____________________
Young Veterans Honor the
Veterans of Yesterday.
_____________________
Civil War Heroes Are Given A
Great Ovation All Along Line
to Cemetery – An Inspiring
Sight to Thousands
___________

Marion’s Memorial day parade yesterday afternoon will long be remembered as the most timely and most significant ever held in the city.
Hearts were stirred as column after column marched by to the patriotic strains of the bands and the drum corps. Not only was the parade the most significant but it was also the largest Memorial day parade ever staged here.
Thousands line the streets along the line of match and ovation was given the marching body.
Twenty-five automobiles carried the veterans who had fought and suffered that the nation might be undivided and for whose comrades the great day has been set aside. Sitting straight with eyes to the front, the veterans displayed that spirit which had stirred them to rally in support of the nation in the crisis of the sixties.
SPIRIT OF 1917.
The evidence that Marion is again ready to stand its share as it did in ’61 and ’98 was shown as the khaki-clad soldiers of D company marched by. A military bearing which only intensive training such as the boys received on the Mexican border was displayed and was a splendid example of the type of soldiers who will and who have already rallied to support the nation at the present time.
But probably the scene which touched more hearts, brought more tears, smiles and applause than any other was that of thousands of school military companies passing in review. This was an example of the spirit of patriotism which the coming generation is imbued.
Marching with heads erect, feet moving like clock work and guns carried proudly on their shoulders, these young patriots made a splendid appearance. A trim company of Boy Scouts also answer for the future and was evidence that Marion will not be found wanting if the call to the colors is sounded in years to come.
Moves on Time.
The mammoth parade was formed on west Center street and passed east on Center street about 1:30 o’clock on scheduled time. It took fully forty-five minutes for the great moving body to pass a given point.
Two mounted aides carrying “Old Glory” on high headed the procession. Following them were a squad of mounted Marion police and a squad of mounted aides. Baker’s band playing a lively air passed in review followed by Cosner’s fife and drum corps. D company, Fourth Ohio infantry, Koscuiko Lodge, No 58, I. O. O. F. Wayside Lodge No. 864, I. O. O. F., Marion Company No. 15, Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias, Lima City Council N. 206, Jr. O. U. A. M., and Sandusky Tribe, No. 99, Order of Red Men, which composed the first division of the parade.
Parade by Division.
The mounted sides in the first division were Major T. E. Andrews, grand marshal; Major James W. McMurray, chief of staff; Captain Dan Evans, chief of First Division; Captain O. S. Rapp, chief of Second division; Captain George T. Geran, chief of Third division; Lieutenant N. F. Tilton, chief of Fourth division; Robert B. Swisher, principal musician.
Aides-de-camp M. L. Dumble, E. J. Knauss, Dr. D. O. Weeks, Philip J. Haberman, J. W. Klinefelter, J. Ray Marchant, Carl Fortney, Major B. L. Wallace, Hector S. Young, James F. Ullom, E. R. Wilson, Thorpe Paddock, L. D. Jones, C. M. Fisher, Dr. F. Young, Major Masters, and John A. Schroeter.
For First Time
Dowler’s band headed the Second division. One of the largest delegates in this division and in the entire parade was Marion Commandery, No. 36, Knights Templar, and Marion Lodge, No. 79, Free and Accepted Masons. This the first time in the history of the Masonic lodge that the members have marched on any occasion other than a lodge affair. After the Masons came delegations from the Woodmen of the World, Loyal Order of Moose, American Insurance Union, Eagles and Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.
The Third division composed mostly of the school children was the largest division of the procession. Headed by the Erie band followed by troop Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Boys Scouts, the Campfire Girls, the Marion public school children and the St. Mary’s Catholic parochial school-children, the division was reviewed with interest by the spectators. The military companies from the Greenwood, Forest Lawn, Oak street, Lincoln, Olney Avenue, Davids Street, McKinley and Glenwood schools all took part in the parade. Each company marched to music made by the company’s fife-and-drum corps. and each “soldier” was equipped with a wooden gun. Banners bearing the name of each school were carried by each respective school.
Fourth Division.
The Scioto Boys’ band proceeded the Fourth division, which was made up of the flower girls, Women’s Relief Corps, Sons of Veterans, Spanish-American War Veterans, Daughter’s of Veterans, Old Drum corps. of Columbus, members of Cooper Post and veterans soldiers and sailors, speakers of the day and city officials.
The parade moved east on Center street to State street and south on State to the cemetery. Traffic was suspended in the business district and along the line of the parade during the march to the cemetery. Marion responded gallantly to the cause as the homes along the line of review were decked out with “Old Glory” and the crowd which witnessed the parade is estimated as the largest which ever turned out for a Memorial Day celebration.
The parade was managed in excellent manner due to the faithful work of Colonel George B. Christian, president of the day, and his staff of helpers. All the organizations formed in line on scheduled time and at no time was there a hitch in the organization of the marching of the parade.