Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 129, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1909 — Department Commander Issues Order With Holiday Plea In It. [ARTICLE]

Department Commander Issues Order With Holiday Plea In It.

General order No. 4, calling the attention of the various G. A. R. posts of the state to the close of the fiscal year in the affairs of the organization, were sent out Monday by O. A. Somers, department commander, and J. R. Fessler, assistant adjutant general. Special attention is called to the approach of the holiday season, and a plea is made for every post in the state to contribute something toward making merry the Christmas of the inmates of the state soldiers and sailor’s home at Knightstown. Commander Somers also issued a circular letter calling attention of the posts to the great number of deaths in the ranks of the veterans during the last year, and urging them to build up their membership. Fewer than half the veterans in the state who draw pensions are members of the organization, according to the latter.