Show justifiable PRIDE the editor of this paper takes pride in publishing the he following open letter to the united spanish war veterans at the request ot of comrades of this section dear comrade in the final analysis the proof of our contention that we have a right to feel proud of belonging to the united spanish war veterans Is so abundant that all doubters should hang their heads in shame every spanish war veteran vol entered his services and was on only ly accepted after a rigid physical examination those of us who were fortunate enough to return were given the sole right by an art act ol of congress to say who should wear wea r the emblem of the united spanish war veterans this right was not a charitable gesture but an award of merit from the greatest country on earth and every spanish war veteran has done his share to make it great we go to national encampments encamp ments each year the ranks have started to thin out and when in future years as we who survive get old and decrepit the youngsters of today viewing the parade of the thinning ranks of the united spanish war veterans shall speak of those of us fortunate enough to participate as the remnant of the last great army of volunteers the world shall ever know hold your head up high when your pension check arrives this is not charity but a partial payment of a just debt that the country owes you if your position in life is lowly vou ran can shake the hand of those whose position is of the highest and call him comrade com are there any more arguments that a comrade needs to make him look his fellow man in the eye and throw out his chest and when you have satisfied yourself that you have a right to feel proud you are a member of the united spanish war veterans then prove to your own satisfaction that you are proud by the assistance you give to the camps and auxiliaries in the department part ment attend the meetings of your camp and take an active part in its affairs attend the services on memorial day participate in the department excursion july 17 and get acquainted with comrades of 0 other camps be proud of belonging to the united spanish war veterans hold your head high and throw out your chest you belong to the greatest organization on earth |