Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-09-23
WAR VETERANS FLOCK TO
OTTAWA TO MEET
J OLD BUDDIES
MANY REGISTERED
VETERANS BEGIN POURING INTO
CITY FOR SECOND ANNUAL
GATHERING THIS MORNING -
MEETINGS FORMALLY OPENED
THIS AFTERNOON AT ARMORY

Each train ami dozens Of autos
which came into Ottawa this morning
Were filled with members OF the l21th
Infantry, veterans Of the world War.
VINO gathered to attend the tWo-day
annual convention of the l2grh Infan-
Try association The organization
headquarters in the Zeller Inn was n
busy place throughout the day, ds
the veterans who passed through the
battles of the Argonne and otner IA
nous fights in the history OF the
worlds freedom ga: :hered to meet
their "buddies" again
1t is estimated that COO Of TIE vets
win be in the city by night, and by
the time the convention closes t2mOr-
row it is estimated that Il least 10p
members of the organization viii be III
attendance.
Opening Session at O'Clock.
The first formal session of the meet
ing was held at Armory c at O'clock,
when the organization president.
Lieut.. Glenn ". Weese OF his city,
called the big meeting TO orier
Chaplain y. b. Clinch was then tn-
troduced and pronounced an impress
siye invocation He prayed for the
welfare OF the veterans, for theN
members who were LEFT behind in
France, and for the prosperity Of the
United States
Mayors Welcoming Address.
Mayor George Y. b, Weeks was then
introduced to he audience and made
gracious speech OF welcome. saving
in part:
The people Of Ottawa are pleased
in having the l29th Infantry veterans
assembled here for their convention,
For myself | feel greatly hOnor3d
in coming here to talk to yOu toda,.
The local members oi your as5o.
citation / know, some of them very
Well, and this city is proud OF them.
every one Of them.
The world quicMy turns to tomor-
row. and is too busy to think back 20
the things OF Yesterday and it aas
been ever too much SO with the recent
war, and in my Judgment it Is well
you have organized and II is we'll you
will come together for social purposes
and the renewal OF frineishipS formed
on the battlefield, for as between y0u
all there are sears OF hard service ana
priyation that creates bond tAat
never will be forgotten until the end
Of your time.
The grave should have nothing II
common with youth EUt war is re-
lentless and cruel, and ! know today
that we all sigh fer the ,Ouch OF the
vanished hand and the sound oi tho
voice that is still and our sympathy
goes out today to the families OF sol
diers that death has derived 0f rep
resentation here.
Il want you all to feel at home, anl
have good time while you are here,
for we want you to come back a9ain.
II know Mr. Weese, who is president
of your association, and the other
local members will do all in their
power to make your stay here an en-
joyable one and ! know they will sue
ceed in their effort.
"As mayor OF the city | offer You
its freedom. and a hope that your con-
vention will be successful in every
way, and that you will come back 20
see us again
The Presidents Response.
Mr.. Weese then responded to the
mayors speech in his own inimithoIe
way. He spoke both from the view
point of the organization president
and as an. Ottawan. intersperslng his
address With witticisms which livenod
up the audience. There MS ton@ OF
seriousness in his voice as he greeted
his fellow comrades, Who had offered
their lives so Willingly for their coun-
try during the tremulous y@trs CT
1917 and 1915
Following the presidents address,
the committees were appointed and a
business session was held.
Band Concert and Smoker.
Tonight at I O'Clock Hentrich's MiIi-
tary band will give a concert at the
armory. followed by a smoker and en-
tertainment. The local committee
have exerted theselves % see that the
entertainment tonight is one of the
finest the visitors have ever attended.
Tomorrow there will be a business
session in the morning at the armorS
followed by an afternoon session at
o'clock when the annual election OF
officers will be held and he place for
next years convention will he chosen
The convention will adjourn at the