The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on May 16, 1924:
OLD CO. A BOYS TO HOLD RE-UNION HERE MAY 27
Committee in Charge of Arrangements Wants Every Member to be Here for a Day of Pleasure
Plans are being made for a re-union of the members of the old Company A. 136th Infantry, which is to be held in this city on Tuesday, May 27th. A committee of George M. LaDue, P. K. Myers and Carl Schmuck has been appointed to arrange the day’s affairs, and under their management an afternoon and evening of genuine enjoyment is being provided for.
Major Ezra C. Clemens, who was here for the Legion rally two weeks ago, was the instigator of this re-union. He had been the chaplain with Company A. down at Camp Cody, New Mex., and was looked upon as a father, it is claimed by practically every boy in the camp. His slightest suggestion was law, and so now also, the re-union is being planned upon his request.
Invitations have been sent to all members of the company whose address is known, and they are asked to mention the coming event to their brother “buddies” for quite a number of the men cannot be located by the committee at this time. They are anxious to have as many of the “old gang” here as possible, and every Co. A member, regardless of whether or not he has received a written invitation, will be cordially welcomed at Luverne on re-union day.
Plans are to have the boys meet at the Legion club rooms at three o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Kittenball teams will be organized and this form of sport enjoyed until the time for the banquet, which will be served at seven o’clock at the Manitou hotel. During the evening the Dell-Hogan post dance will be held at the Armory. The Paramount players will be here again and this time will have a ten-piece orchestra, so that the music alone will be an evening’s treat.
Company A. of the Second Minnesota National Guards was mobilized in this city shortly after the United States entered the war, and went into camp at the county fair grounds on June 3, 1918. Robert A. Grout was the captain; Jesse S. Kellihau, of Rock Rapids, first lieutenant and E. C. Dike, of Beaver Creek, second lieutenant. On September 28, of the same year, the company left for Camp Cody, New Mex., together with Co. K. of Worthington. It wasn’t however, until the following June that a summons came, ordering the privates and cooks of the regiment to leave for France, while the officers and non-commissioned officers remained at camp to drill a bunch of drafted men. In August, a move was made to Camp Dix, New Jersey, and the following October saw the remainder of Co. A. sailing for France.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.
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