Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1912-06-14
VETS. MADE HAPPY
IN SOLDIERS HOME
Stamford Chapman Tells How Pull
mans Hospitality Was Appreci-
ated at Port Orchard
Bremerton, Wash,
June z, 1912.

June z, 1912.
My Dear Mr.. Baker:
1t gives me great pleasure to be
able to make the following report
to you and to the good citizens of
Pullman regarding the banquet that
was rendered to the old soldiers and
their wives at the Soldiers Home at
Port Orchard, Washington. at the ex-
pense of the citizens of Pullman.
Mrs. Chapman and myself were
very cordially received by the super
intendent, Colonel Wilson, Mrs. Will
son and the former superintendent,
Colonel Aimes, and Mrs. Aimes, at
the home of Colonel wilson Short
ly after our arrival we all proceeded
to the large dining hall in the upper
end of which were gathered all the
old soldiers and their wives, with the
exception of a few who were too
feeble to attend. After a short adj
dress by Colonel Wilson, | was intro
duced as the representative of the
city of Pullman. In a short talk |
endeavored to impress upon all pres
ent how sorry the citizens of Pull
man were that they were not all able
to be present in person at the en-
campment, but, that being impos-
sible, we wished them all to know
and feel that they were not alone, not
forgotten, but very much present in
banquet about to be served was a
slight token of the esteem In which
they were held by the people of Pull
man and all good citizens of our
great republic The badges that you
wished distributed had not arrived
so 1t was arranged to distribute them
later 1t was almost needless for me
to mention the fact that as a speak
er ] was out of my element and that
If ever such an occasion arose again
| intended applying ahead of time for
some assignment as assistant in the
galley. where | would feel much
more at home; however, / did my
little best and unconsciously scored
point by making my little speech
brief, for the savory odors that were
waited through the doors from the
galley were serving to whet the APP
petites of my audience.
The banquet was par excellence
and did great credit to the committee
and to the commissary department of
the home and | know that as each
one of us left the table the world
looked good deal brighter than
when we entered the hall. The home
is as nearly perfect as such an insti-
tuition could be, but in spite of all
its beauty and com forts life is bound
to be somewhat monotonous to the
inmates, consequently such an enter
tainment as they received yesterday
carried many rays of sunshine and
warmed many old hearts, for It
brought home to them the knowl-
edge that their privations and deeds
of valor of years ago were not, and
never would be, forgotten by the citi-
zens of our great republic.
From the time we left the dining
room until o'clock, Mrs. Chapman
and myself were piloted first by Col
onel and Mrs. Wilson and later by
the genial DR.. and Mrs. Campbell all
through the institution and were per-
sonally introduced to almost every
one of the inmates. We visited with
all those who were unable to leave
their quarters, especially the old
ladies, of whom | believe there are
upwards of So and right here want
to say that / don't believe that one
roof ever sheltered a dearer and
sweeter party of old ladies in all this
land. They were all very elderly,
some crippled and some sick, but all
were bright and happy and each and
every one of them made me promise
with tears In their eyes) that I
would be sure and thank the people
Of Pullman for their generosity and
kindness in remembering them and
for the thoughts and sentiment that
prompted such remembrance. One
and all they expressed deep regret at
being unable to visit Pullman In per-
son. 1t transpired that Mrs. Chap
man knew goodly number of the
old ladies so we felt very much at
home and enjoyed ourselves Inn
mensely.
On our way through the smoking
room, card rooms. verandas. etc, OF
the mems quarter. II did not take