Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-05-21
OFFICIAL STATE WELCOME
BOYS VISITED AT
CAMP GRANT
Legislative Bodies Extend Thanks of
Constituents - First State in
Union to Greet Soldiers
Madison. Nav 19. 1919.


attire for nearly week, almost every
business and private residence wear
ing the national colors on honor of
returning soldiers. The decorations
are exquisite in many instances. The
beautiful new state house has its full
quota in electrical effects, bunting and
flags. And for the occasion the larg-
est flag in the United States graces
the interior of the great capitol dome,
suspended from high up in the same.
The flag is of bunting, 100 feet long,
81 feet wide and weighs $50 pounds.
1t was made by the Royal Tailors of
Chicago, and is sent from place to
place for exhibition.
The troops of the Thirty-second Di-
vision have been arriving in squads
of from 20 to so, the largest group
having arrived Sunday afternoon, an
other Saturday evening, and first one
Friday They were met at Camp
Grant by the Elks and Moose orders,
three special trains having been char
ared for the purpose Monster
crowds turned out to greet and well
come the boys home, the demonstra-
tions rejecting the sincere apprecia-
ton of people for sacrifices of their
soldiers.
On Friday the states official well
come and greeting to its valient re-
turning soldiers from overseas, was
made expressively real by a special
Legislative excursion to Camp Grant,
greeting large detachments of the IA
nous 32nd Division, 127th and l28th
regiments. The first home soldiers to
be encountered by the writer were
Sergeant Major Elmer Davis, Ser
geant Fred Rhodes and possibly others
who had arrived the night previous,
and they were mighty expressive of
their delight to be on American soil
after two years Of continuous army
life. At the same time | met Colonel
Robt. b. Mccoy of Sparta, who was in
the vanguard of active service at the
head of fighting regiment. He said
to me: "Tell the people at home that
Viroqua and Vernon county soldier
boys met every demand of their SUI
perior officers and their country. And
don't forget to say that Lieutenant
Melvil Tuhus ingratiated himself in
the affections and respect of the Of
ficers and men in the army as no other
young man did that | came in active
contact with"
1t was my special privilege to be
with party which had the attention
and guidance about this most wonder
fui of American cantonments, General
Holbrook, commandant of the Camp,
and by the way, a Wisconsin man,
born and reared in the little county
of Pepin, educated at West Point, as
were two of his sons, who are also in
Nl,.a
described in Censor columns, so that
would be superfluous here. saw
long lines of soldiers being mustered
out, and they are put through critical
mental and physical examinations.
Visited the recruiting station, but
there are comparatively few men who
care to reenlist. At the present time
the camp hospitals are of greatest
interest--all character of bodily and
mental weaknesses treated and every
avenue known to medical science APP
piled TO resore men to normal condi-
tions. Much of this restorative work
is entrusted to young women who do
nursing, massage, hydrotheropy, teach
all manner of things that will be help
| full To mind and body The hospital
section covers IS acres of ground. The
most wonderful of all is base hospital
Here | met Arvid Ramsland of West
| by. who is an attendant. He is hoping
to be discharged in few days This
welcome visit is said to be the first on
the part of any state Legislative body
in the union, and the great body of
returning Wisconsin soldiers appreci-
ated the official greeting by the MEM
bers representing every county and
community in thp state
Legislation was something Of lrag
last week because of absence of UNI
erous members. Farmers and busi-
ness men find it necessary to go to
their homes for spring work. The
only big piece Of legislation disposed
of in either house during the week is
the marketing bill, the assembly meas
ure, which differs widely from the bill
passed by the senate The fire will
| fly when these ccntending elements
clash. Whether they can reconcile
the interests to a converging attitude
in a xyr.YskahIa foaa cfIra ia tha ot1ac =