Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-05-04
G. A. R. VETERANS
IN ANNUAL. SESSION
Encampmsnt. Held Here To-
day. Showed Thinning OF
Ranks OF Members.

1nnrmitics OF age prevented more
than one-third OF the members OF the
Department OF Delaware. Grand Army
Of the Republic. from responding To
the roll call at the t:d annual en-
cAmpment held In Irish American Hall
q, si0 French street today. The roster
contains iii names and but nifty of
these responded when called at the
opening OF tho meeting AT 1890 o'clock
Among those who have passed to
their rcwasd during tho year have
bccn four past department command
er~ They are William A. Reilly. J. s.
i.itscnherg, w. Williams and Robert
l.iddell.
Comma ndcr william A. Truitt Of
Milford presided at the opening ~ the
msning session and William Kelley
was officer OF the day. While the
veterans were busy on the first door
of the building transacting the an
nual business. the ladies' auxiliary OF
the Union Veteran Legion were busy
preparing the annual dinner on the
second floor. The ladies were just as
anxious 20 tempt the appetites OF the
veterans now as they were three score
years ago.
The list az those removed by dea IN
during tho year showed that upwards
OF thirty had responded for the last
time.
one of the items OF business IN
which tho veterans were greatly In
teresied was IN obtaining doubling OF
the appropriation received from the
state for proper observance OF
Memorial Day. The encampment re-
ceives $1,000 yearly and all Of this
money Is required 10 defray tho eX-
pense OF providing flags and flowers
for the graves OF those who have paes.
81 on. The vetesans believe that they
should have at least $4,000. so that
other expenses Incidental 20 fittinE
Observance Of the day may be taker
care Of
After dinner tho veterans will NEE
this afternoon and elect officers Thos'
who are likely 20 be chosen are a,
follows; Commander. Charles Zerhy
Wilmington: senior vice-commander
Nathaniel Henderson. Wilmington
iunior vice-comma ndcr. Charles II
lewis Rrldsevlle; assistant adjutan
general, william g. Baush, Whining
ton; chaplain. Rov. Adam Stengle
Wilmington. medical director. william
Kelly. Wilmington judge advocate
Richard Bucking CHAM. Newark: dele
r~tes 10 national encampment At De
Mclnes. Iowa on September "a. wesle,
noulden and A. J Rumford.
Among those attending the encamp
rent who made tho trip from Phile
delphis IN much pain was Jesse Hell
ins~. Mr.. Hellings IL crippled with IN,
file ~ 81 years and he appeared AT IN,
hall walking with great dinicuity or
crutches. but determined that n
would attend this meeting.
Veterans were present from thi
city, Pridgeville. Newark, Milford
eesford and Harrington.
According 20 the etatistic. contain
81 In tho reports of ofscers, tho en-
campment has lost so members dur
ins the year. 20 by death and the re
mainder through tho surrendering O
charters by three posts. The thre
posts that retired were Post No 5
New Castle; Post No. Is, Georgetown
and Post No. 2s. Milford. Deaths q
members and old age infrmities whicl
prevented the members az these post
from attending regular meeting.
we're tho reasons given for surround
ing the charters. This leaves thre
posts IN this city. and one each 4
Milford. Newark. Bridgeville, HARMS
ton and Soaford There was gener,
regret over the retirement az thes
poyis
But ten years separated the oldes
and youngest members of the er
csmpmont. William A. Middleton.
this city, who Is 81 years old. hold
the honor of being the oldest veiera
member 81 the encsmpment. Will
George c. Morton, also OF Wilmington
AT "a, Is the youngest member. Con
mander Trultt of Milford. who is Z
IA said 20 he the next 10 Mr.. Morto
In the youngest membership honors
The veterans are taking muc
pleasure In the dedication OF Wasi
inrton bridge as memorial 20 n
men lwho gave up their lives durir
the World War. but are strongly ol
posed 90 any holiday celebration
THE day aside from the bridge eel
hFation. They feel that that is Il
ore day Of the year that belongs
them and that all celebrations shou
be marked with the solemnity atten
Ant upgr such aY a-ptN,~sarv