Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1907-06-28
BLACK HILLS VETERANS.
A Goodly Number Enjoy Annual
Reunion.

A Goodly Number Enjoy Annual
Reunion.
The ranks of the veteran "boys" is
certainly growing thinner, and their
annual reunions show the effects of
their decreasing numbers. Some of
the loyal heads of the Black Hills
Soldiers and Sailors Association are
still vigorous and active and were on
hand this year just as they have been
year after year-some of them for
twenty years.
Principal among those faithful
veterans whose names are upon the roll
of honor we observed Capt. @. V. Gard.
ner, Judge Bennett and Maj. Fairbanks,
who seldom, if ever, fail to be on hand
at these reunions, and with their happy,
eloquent and patriotic addresses please
and edify their comrades and all who
hear them.
The program as printed was carried
out, with few changes, but during
Tuesday and Wednesday the veteran
heroes who gathered here mingled with
those from the State and National
Homes and had real good old heart-to-
heart talks and pleasant times.
At the calling together Tuesday Rev.
S. l.. McAmis, OF this city, gave the
address of welcome, As follows:
Mr. Chairman. veterans OF the sixties.
and friends:-l count myself happy to
look in the faces of so many veterans
who won so many brilIiana victories
for truth and liberty on hundreds of
battle fields of undying fame.
1t is but fitting for the men who wore
the blue to reunite in this Gland of
the skies" to clasp each others hands
and mutually impart the glow of emo
tion and patriotism which impelled
them by force of arms to save the
Union in tact. We are proud, after the
laps of forty. six years, to greet you
in this state home and from the Nation
al home on the other mountain, en-
blem of state and national value and
appreciation of your deeds of valor in
defence of our common country.
The season is propitious.
Once more the queen of summer has
glided down on the sun beams and
carpeted our hills and dales in greer
and richly adorned them with flower:
for the coming of the men we love Sc
we'll. No land has brighter suns, mild
er moons nor more glittering stars. mol
more salubrious atmosphere. Since
you have bequethed to US nationa
liberty and you in the providence o.
Almighty God have been permitted tt
live during long period of marvellous
development and prosperity such a:
has not been Lno wn in the history o
the world
Your sons have reac1sd stations @
honor. Your daughters have beer
clothed il silk. They reside in Nation
al homes. They worship God ACCORD,
ing to the dictates oi tleir own con
ciences In the light of the past, ar
you ashamed of having worm the blue:
Wears ago ia East Tenn., at reunion
Of veterans Il great orator recounted ii
graphic terms, tie even is of the Wal
rising to a wonderful climax he ey
claimed: "God knows We are not asham
ed of having worn the bluem AS yo'
reunite today, | know you are NO
ashamed AS the years have gone b
the blue garb of the soldier has bee
transformed into all habiliament O
glory which has become the admire
tion of the world Consequently, o
behalf of the people of Hot Spring
al Sanitarium we welc ome this reunio
of the honored veterans of the sixties
We welcome you with our hearts, wit
our lives; welcome yo1 to all the joy
consequent upon your patriotism, you
valor, your blood and your lives
Welcome, Welcome, thrice welcome t.
the veterans in blue to this state rt
union. And as we welcome you, W
trust and pray that your lives may b
spared to enjoy many like occasions.
Mai .Fairbank delivered the followin
response to the address of welcome:
Mr.. President:-First let me, in b
half of my comrades, express the mo
sincere and hearty thanks for tt
generous and eloquent greetings viii
which we have been welcomed toda
We know that these cordial greetini
come from the heart, and express tt