On June 30, 1918, Brodhead joined with the other communities
of Green County in the dedication of a County Service
Flag.
The flag was presented to the county by the County Council
of Defense. It contained 568 stars, six of them gold stars.
Invitations were sent out to each and every family that had
given a man to the service, and seats were reserved for them.
Owing to the heavy rain, the dedications ceremonies were
held in the Armory, at Monroe, instead of on the fair grounds
as first planned. A large audience gathered and remained for
over three hours, listening to the eloquent addresses and the
musical numbers. Rev. E. W. Hale, of Brodhead, gave the invocation;
Mr. P. F. Neverman, chairman of the County Council of Defense,
made the presentation speech. The flag was accepted on behalf
of the county by Mr. W. F. Trukenbrod, chairman of the county
board.
The principal address was given by Dr. S. J. Smythe, president
of St. John's Military Academy, of Delafield, Wis. Dr.
Smythe was followed by Lieut. Campbell, a Canadian officer,
who took part in the great battle of Vimy Ridge, where the Canadian
casualties were more than 18,000.
Lieut. Campbell paid a tribute to the Red Cross which was
inspired by unstinted admiration for the work of that society.
His descriptions of actual warfare were intensely interesting.
The music for the occasion was furnished by the Monroe Hussar
Band, assisted by local singers. The entire service was
but another evidence of the splendid spirit of loyalty which
made Green county among the first of the state in every test
of fidelity to our country.