The Washington times., 1912-05-30
OF WAR
WITH SPAIN HOLD
SERVICE AT ASYLUM
Accept Invitation to Conduct
Memorial At Hospital for
for the Insane.

In May, 1909. eighteen veterans Of the
Spanish American war. who at that
time constituted the Nelson A. Miles
Camp No. /, conducted Memorial Day
exercises at Arlington and marched
with the @. A. r. on that occasion.
Today this same camp, through court
esy of Colonel Bloodgood, department
commander of the G. A. r., was as
signed the, duty OF conducting the fnem-
orial exercises at the cemetery of the
Government Hospital for the Insane.
The mantel was handed to them by
the soldiers of 81, and that they sought
to recognize the honor was shown b.
the large number of the members Of the
organization who were present at the
appointed hour of 9.30 Commander
Hintenach, of Miles Camp, in a brief
address, thanked the comrades of the
@. a. r. for the honor which they be-
slowed on the senior camp OF Span
ish War Veterans In asking them to take
the place of the @. A. r. at the ceme-
terry. And" said he, 1T Is another
evidence that this day is to be per-
petuated by the Boys of '9S, when, as
time goes on the G. A. r. will have be-
come depleted and we of the Spanish
war shall take up this work of love-
The ritual Of the Spanish war veterans
was read, groups of comrades forming
at each grave. after which, flowers were
strewn.
Then Comrade sIgmund Dirnheld, the
orator of the occasion, delivered the
following memorial address:
Some forty-fou1 years years ago the Grand
Commander-in- Chief, Instituted the
30th of May, OF each year, as the prop
er time to lay tributes Of flowers and
to decorate with our glorious stars and
stripes the. graves OF their comrades
who have heard the solemn taps for
the last time and who have wandered
into that great beyond whence no man
ever returneth.
are Justly worthy of a nations thank
ful remembrance They helped to keep
our beloved country from dissolution
and consequent dismemberment and
destruction. The boys who sleep here.
breath; surrounded by loving families,
ended their days under circumstances
which should enlist our greatest SYM
For many years their comrades OF
the Grand Army Of the Republic per
formed these willing duties with cheer
fuiness and readiness. but now their
fast thinning ranks makes II necessary
American war, take the beloved duty
from their tired hands Many Of our
comrades rest in these shades. Their
work. In life, was not to preserve a
Union which was threatened with de.
! struction, but to make that Union more
glorious by their valorous deeds in
| taking up the cause of the oppressed
and those under the revolving rule of q
| tyrannical country.
III we would fittingly honor the men,
| cry Of our departed heroes, let us urge
upon those in authority to care for their
last resting place in a seeming manner.
| The repretfIIl condition OF this home
| of the dead is past excuse, and the pow
| crs that be should not only consider II a
! duty but also a privilege to ornamen;
4 end keep beautiful these temples to our
duty In impressing II upon those who
| have the power to change this condition
| to take official action looking toward an
| essential betterment.
! "Neglected conditions hardly tend 10
| breed patriotism and love of country In
| the minds OF a coming generation"