Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1922-06-30
RICHMOND REUNION OF OLD VETERANS.

one Of the best and mos; delightful
in the history Of The Veteran Grgani-
zatiOn.
The weather MAS ideal, the city
beautiful i'll It's gala attire and dis
play Of confederate cOlOrS every
where and the people most cordial
and Considcratc in The hospitality
and reception of their old fellows
who had so bravcly and Loyalty de
Tended the city in the dark days Of
Civil War when great armies were
trying TO force its surrender or
abandonment.
Men intimately connected With
the conduct of the Reunion and
competent to express an opinion,
stated the number of old Veterans
present and registered at 5000 TO
which number they conscrvativcly
estimated that fully 1000 more
should be added on account of the
many who do not take the trouble
to register. This is considered a
large attendance at this late day
when an ovcrwhc ming majority OF
the brave men comprising the
armies of the South have long since
passed over the river. Tho the sur
vivors are all more or less bent
under The weight of years Gor few
if any of these, are now under rs
years of age, il was pleasing and
gratifying to note how many of the
survivors are yet strong and active,
nlmble in the dance, and we might
say, without serious violence to
truth, ready for another call to arms
should occasion arise. Many of
them appeared in suits Of Confed-
crate gray and, tho the color Of
their hair was in keeping with that
Of their uniforms, the brave old
boys appeared as fit as in the days
when they charged the foe on the
bloody battleficlds of the Civil War.
The Richmond of to-day is a new
city risen from the ashes Of desc
lation and looking hopefully TO a
greater future. Proud of its people,
its history and its traditions, en-
couragcd by its steady growth, the
expansion of its trade, the enter
prise, ability and success of its
business men, the city is pushing
forward to yet greater things serene
in the confidecc that the ultimate
realization of her hopes of a great
future are sure Of realization.
The great feature of the Reunion
was the splendid street parade on
the last day-Thursday. Though a
comparatively short march had been
marked out and the demonstration
was made in their honor, the Old
Veterans, in consideration of age,
were not asked to join in it except
when seats could be secured in au-
tomobilcS. SO accommodated, how
ever, many were seen in the line
and hearty and enthusiastic was the
demonstration in shouts and cheers
all along the line of march in thciI
honor. All Richmond seemed to
have turned out and never had we
seen before such dense mass Of
humanity packed along the side
walks and on the lawns and porchcs
on a city thoroughfare. The Gle
mcnts in this great demonstration
OF affection, love and gratitude TO
the old veterans were as varied as
they were beautiful and suggestive
striking and inspiring There were
many officers in brilliant uniforms,
units Of young veterans Of the World
War, and the Sons Organization.
cavalry units, military civic and
business organizations and many
beautiful floats ornamcntcd with
iiaSS and flowers and on which, ar
ranged in artistic groups, were seer
many of The pretty girls of the City,
all intended TO give the dear ola
fellows who defended Richmond in
the dark days Of the sixties some
conception of the cordial welcome
the city gave them.
| must not close this very inner
feet and wholly inadequate report
Oh mis- great annual meeting of the
Old Veterans without some refer
cnce TO the pretty and attractive
dreenbricr, Pocahontas and Monroe
girls, heretofore named i'm these
Columns, and seen with delightful
effect in this grand demonstration.
Never did girls appear to greater
advantage nor look more lovely and
attractive. 1t was not strange then
uilat as soon as their car appeared
IN the line of march, from thc side
street in which it was posted. the
widest cheering and
ordinations Of admiration and de-
'I9ht greeted them at every step
along the way and continued to the
end. 1t was Il great ovation for
Greenbricr girls and was well de-
served and fully appreciated BY
every Grccnbricr Veteran in the line
Of march.