VETERANS OF THE GRAND ARMY.
[To rne EDITOR or ran " firecriroz.") Pm—At the request of many who have served or are serving in our great Army, I desire through the medium of your valuable paper to give publicity to the wish felt by many of all ranks that, after having served together in this great war, we shall continue to keep in touch with one another after it has been fought to a
finish. Between those of us who have spent long months, and even years, in the trenches, patiently waiting for the guns and shells which would place us on terms of equality with the enemy, there have grown up steady ties of affection and comradeship. Silently a general determination has developed that those who have en- dured much together should keep together to the end, always re- membering those who have fallen by the way, and a sesolve has been made that we should cement that spirit of comradeship for our mutual advantage and protection in the future. Sir, prompted by the highest motives, many thousands of soldiers desire this. By many it is thought that the best svay of attaining this end would be to create throughout the laud a similar organization to the Old Comrades Association, one of the many bright spots of that little valiant Army of the past. Examination shows, how- ever, that while we might with advantage follow its excellent example and ideals, yet to deal with an Army of millions the machinery would require enlarging.
Briefly, the idea is to establish a Soldiers Association throughout the country and the Dominions. The motto might well be " United We Stand," and I remember a worthy N.C.O. suggesting to me, when discussing the idea before the battle of Loos, why not call it " Veterans of the Grand Army"? No better name could, I think, be suggested. Amongst the many objects of. Bush an Association would be the following: (1) To watch and safeguard the interest of all members of the forces, and to take such steps as are necessary to protect them during and after demobilisation. (2) To promote undertakings for the disabled, using our individual and combined efforts to find employment for all discharged soldiers and sailors. (3) To help discharged soldiers and sailors to prepare their necessary papers and to see that their pensions and allowances are in order. (4) To secure the welfare of the women and children left by those who have fallen. (5) To perpetuate in loving memory and affection the dead. (6) To promote amongst the rising generation the grand spirit of patriotism and devotion that is the characteristic of the Army of to-day.
To achieve these objects it would be necessary to have borough and county organizations throughout the country with a grand central Council. Parliament would be requested to grant a re- cognized uniform for authorized parades only, which parades could be held at intervals during the year or on a stated Bank Holiday. Membership would be free with service as qualification. Women should be admitted to the Association to represent their husbands during their absence on service.
For the past two years these questions have been discussed in various forms, and the very definite desire is evident that when we drift back to civil life, whatever our vocation may be, we may still hold together as a living corporate body. It should be noted that the welfare of every trade or profession is safeguarded by some such organiudion as is here suggested. There are a large number who desire to contribute annually toward the general funds to be used for this organization, and for extending help when necessary, and- I therefore ask you as a token of your apprecia- tion of our serving soldiers to give all the publicity possible to this suggestion. Through your valuable paper I ask all officers, N.C.O.'s, and men who are interested to communicate their views to the Hon. Secretary, V.G.A. Association, 3 Central Buildings, Westminster, S.W. I. Those who have been connected wit's County or Regimental Associations in the past are particularly requested to communicate at once with the undersigned so that at the earliest date possible a meeting of county representatives limy be arranged to prepare and approve of the first by-laws—I am.
[We shall be greatly surprised and disappointed if the Grand Army does not evolve an adequate organization. What memories will bind it together! Never was such cement ready for any build- ing. But we believe there are other schemes in the fiehl.—Eo. Spertator.J
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