Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-08
GOVERNOR RYAN TELLS VETERANS OF
SERVICE AT NATIONAL SOLDIERS HOME

Col. Keith Ryan, governor of tie
Eastern Branch, National Soldiers
Home at Togus, was the speaker at
the regular meeting of James Fitz-
gerald Post, American Legion, held
at the hall Monday evening, and he
told the World war veterans of the
service which the National Home
provided them because they had
been defenders of their flag and
country.
The speaker prefaced his remarks
by recalling something of the history
of the Togus home. which was the
first Of the institutions founded to
care for the diseased or wounded
veterans of the Civil war; OF the
subsequent opening to admission of
veterans Of the war with Spain, anG
now sick or disabled veterans of the
World war are beginning to compose
the membership.
There are at the present time II
branches of the National Homes. ad-
ministered by a board of governors
of which the President of the United
States is president ex-officio. Gov
ernor Ryan explained the simple en-
trance eligibility requirement and
the services of temporary hospital
ization or permanent membership.
Though at one time the member
ship of the home was entirely of
veterans of the Civil war. these old
err veterans are now outnumbered by
those of the Spanish war, there be-
ing a present membership of 229 of
the former and 500 of the latter.
Already there are 1876 veterans of the
World war being cared for at
Togus.
The plant and equipment were de-
scribed by Col. Ryan and he told
his interested audience that the cost
of maintaining and operating the
Eastern Branch last year was $401,-
10000, with a per capita per veteran
of $622.15. The speaker was care
full to emphasize the point that
membership at the home is in no
manner pauperism, but is on the
contrary an honor which has been
earned through sacrifice for coun-
try.
To Hear College President
1t was announced at the meeting
of the Legionaires last evening that
on next Monday evening, Kenneth c.
NJ. Stills, president of Bowdoin Col
lege, will be the speaker at a special
meeting and his subject will be
EuuCillOH Tie INOdu W w OIlu
Peace
BY the action of the post at the
meeting last night, it was decided to
extend invitations to the members of
the Augusta Rotary and Kiwanis
clubs to attend the meeting and
hear the address by the brilliant head
of Bowdoin college on this most in
teresting and timely topic.
Chairman Harry o. Barney of the
membership committee reported the
progress of the campaign to date
which showed that total of zoe
members has already been signed for
1926, with every prospect that the
membership of next year will close
ly approach the 400 mark.
There was also a brief variety
program of entertainment, which in
cluded a clever sketch by Walter
Burke and Kenneth Haskell; group
singing under the leadership of Ar
thur S. Merrill. and several short
boxing exhibitions by the Gilbert
brothers. Ernest and Edward Gill
bert entertained the big crowd with
three fast two-minute rounds, and
then the mosquito-weights. the ~
year old Gilbert twins, fought a fast
and furious exhibition bout witr
"The Old Master" George Gilbert
himself, as the third man in the ring