The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-06-01

PLEA FOR MEMORIAL DAY
Veterans Deserve Our Assistance Now
as Never Before.

do NCNCi PNiOlS.
Editor of The Banner Another
year has passed swiftly away, bearing
with it once more that most sacred OF
all our national holidays, Memorial
day, and it seems fitting that, through
the columns of the Banner, few
words be said in regards to its mean
ing and its observance.
1t was my privilege to be with the
patriotic organizations, and have a
small part in the duties of the day,
and observed several incidents
worthy Of note.
In a recent issue of the Banner you
stated that at present the local Grand
Army post numbered but forty men,
bers, of whom thirty were expected to
be present and take part in the eXer-
cises OF the day AS matter of fact,
22 veterans only were seated at the
dinner, served at 1870 by the Wo-
mems Relief Corps, and the number
present was sad reminder of the
rapid decrease in the membership of
our post, as well as of the fact now is
the time for manifesting our patriot
ism as citizens of our town in the
honor and care we bestowe upon the
men to whom we owe a debt which
can never be paid
Present at dinner and at the exer-
cises which followed was an aged vet
eran, Dexter NJ. Camp OF western Kan
sas. Mr., Camp was born in Benning-
ton in 1892, but left Vermont early in
life and located in Illinois where at
the outbreak of the war of the rebel
lion, he enlisted in the 47th Illinois
which was part of the 18th corps.
He served faithfully during our
country's struggle and at the close
located in western Kansas. his present
home He is cousin of II. G. Camp
of this town and both veterans were
in G. A. X. hall, neither knowing the
others presence until told by com
rades after which they greatly enjoyed
their first meeting after a lapse of
nearly sixty years. Mr.. Camps youth
full courage was fully demonstrated in
his long trip to visit his native town
at such an advanced age.
Great credit is due the organizations
of the town who took part in the duties
of the day, especially the Sons of Vet.
erans. upon whom the sacred duties of
the day must soon deyolve. About 80
of the Sons were present and did all in
their POWER TO tighten the labors and
increase the pleasure of the day for
the veterans.
The Boy Scouts Of whom about Is
were in line, and the children from our
schools, of whom there were about 60
also deserve mention, as both added to
the beauty Of the parade.
While standing in the cemetery al
! the soldiers home, looking into the
faces of our veterans and noting the
absence of many who were present
one year ago. but have since been
| mustered in to the greater Grand
| Army, could not refrain from think
ing whether we as a community real
ize what an honor and privilege is
ours in having these men i'll our midst
or how brief must be the time unit
these also will rest from these labors
and only Memorial day itself remain
for us to honor 1t would seem tha
| did we realize in full the meaning o
| these things, no tribute we could give
no sacrifice We could make, no addi
tional honor we could bestow now
would be delayed or seem too mucl
for us to do May we not each on,
make a greater effort to make eacl
remaining Memorial day more beauti
full and holy for those who yet remaiI
with us, asking in return only the
pleasure which such service rendefel
should give to every true American
man and woman.
Yours in the spirit of the day,
Ruth England Smith,
Past Dept Sec Vt. W. Il, {
Bennington. Vt. Nav 81, 1916.