Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-04-30

on Patriotism" His address was a
very stirring and interesting one, COW
ering fully the meaning of the word
"Patriotism." Dr. Williams went back
into biblical times in explaining the
war situation, and brought out clearly
the reasons for the struggle of today
Little Annetta Hornet gave very
nice recitation.
Miss Sparr entertained the listeners
again with a piano solo and responded
to an encore.
] The closing number on the program
was America" in which eli took
part.
This was followed by a general
social time and the serving of re-
freshments. Thus the 99th annivers-
/ ary celebration of this organization
passed into the history of this order.
LETTER FROM SOLDIER BOY TO
| LOCAL LODGE
1t is quite appropriate at this time
to give the letter CT Edward l.. Buch-
miller, who is in the Medical Detach-
ment at Camp American University,
Washington, D. c., and who was form
erly a resident here and attended the
| Oddfellows' lodge The letter was sent
to A. B. VANITY, secretary of the local
organization, and is as follows:
april %, 1918.
Wausau Lodge No. 215, |. o. 0. F.,
| Wausau, Wisconsin.
| Officers and Brothers:
GREETINGS
Another year has passed, and what
change Little did | think year
ago when the 9Sth anniversary Of
Oddfellowship was celebrated, that the
| Goth would find me in a military camp,
wearing the sheer drab and preparing
for service over there to do my small
bit for my country and humanity in
| this great crisis. It's privilege, l
assure you, and trust that may prove
myself worthy.
l would like very much to be with
you for have been told that splendid
program has been prepared to fittingly
celebrate this occasion, but seeing that
I cannot physically, l am there In
spirit any way. Will try to get into
the city to visit some lodge for this
occasion. Have noted several l. o. 0.
F. halls, so can probably get into one.
Miss very much the old time meetings
with you but trust that when this war
| is over, 1 may be privileged to greet
you all again.
Perhaps you may be interested in
some of my experiences since leaving
| dear old Wisconsin. Had a splendid
| trip east and certainly am enjoying
not only this wonderful climate, the
beautiful city of Washington and its
many places of interest, but army life.
1 note that Wausau Lodge No. 215
has five in the service, and am proud
to be one of the five.
The camp in which | am located,
Camp American University, is not a
large one, being for mobilization pur-
poses only. Each battalion, as soon as
it is filled and equipped, is sent over.
It's sure an inspiring sight to watch
the fellows as they depart and I hope
ere long that | may have the privilege
of crossing.
l have been transferred from the
Engineers to the Medical Department
and assigned to Camp Detachment,
which may mean indefinite service
here. You perhaps were all surprised
to learn that l am in the Medical
branch of the service, when l am not
medical man or medically inclined
Was transferred for clerical reasons,
but am doing all l can to prepare my
self for this most worthy branch.
Some of the terms are foreign to me
and once in while misinterpret some
of the meaning, like this for instance,
The first day in the Office | answered
the phone and voice said, Am send
ing eighty men over to be shot" In
surprise l said, ITO be shot," Ha! Ha!
certainly understand the full mean
ing of that term since | received two
vaccinations and three innoculations
(shots.)
There are men here from most every
state in the union and believe me a
man from Wisconsin looks mighty
good. Wisconsin and Michigan have
been and are at the present time very
Fwell represented here. Was very
much surprised about three weeks af-
ter coming here, to walk into the can
teen at noon one day and meet Brother
Henry j. Hicks, whom most of you
know. He was looking very well and
army life was apparently agreeing
with him. He was in Co. E, 7th Bat
talon, and is now in France, for the
7th Battalion left about three days
after my meeting him. We had a
splendid visit and his questions OF
Wausau Lodge No. 215 and Wausau
were many. Have also met several
from Rhinelander, Wausau, Appleton
Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire. Sew
eral Wausau young people are work
ing in Washington, and / meet them
often.
Of late l have had time off and
have taken that opportunity of &C.
quainting myself with the beautiful
city of Washington. Haven't as yet
called on President Wilson, but prob.
ably may soon ! J
Have visited number of noted
buildings, but l think the most en-.
joyed was the capital. Had the priv.
lege of sitting in the Senate gallery
twice and listened to spirited discus.
sions by noted senator's on bills that
are being watched with interest by this
country. Looked for the notorious
Bob" but was told he was busy in
Wisconsin. Also went in to the gal.
lery of the House and received a dis.
tinct shock for there certainly is quite
contrast between it and the luxur.
iously furnished senate. The session
reminded me of the Board of Trade in
Chicago, for everybody seemed to be
talking to everybody else and appar.
emily not paying any attention to what
was going on. However, saw Miss
Rankin, the only woman representa-
tive in congress, Uncle Joe Cannon
and Champ Clark, the speaker, so felt
repaid for going in. 1t is truly a
wonderful building and as one walks
through and thinks of the famous men
and women who have and are fire.
quenting those rooms and the memoir
les wrapped up in everything about
a feeling of awe and wonder comes
over you.