the dedication ceremony was not elaborate, but it was symbolic. a temporary pole made of bamboo from the philippines was erected next to the memorial, and palm branches from cuba and puerto rico were bunched about its base. at the top of the pole was a laurel wreath festooned with red, white, and blue ribbons. around the foot of the monument, more palm branches were spread. an honor guard of 25 veterans from the washington, d.c., chapter of the spanish war veterans stood around the memorial.