Page:The history and achievements of the Fort Sheridan officers' training camps.djvu/22

 20 THE FORT SHERIDAN ASSOCIATION

The Fort Sheridan Association was the outgrow^th of this fraternal spirit as well as the practical disposition to develop every factor possible w^hich could help men through the period of their actual services.

With no precedent to guide them except the peculiar problems w^hich emerged as their training period closed or loomed up in the more trying days ahead, the men of the two camps agreed to form a great fighting fraternity w^hich w^ould serve as a means of combining their strength for more efficient service.

Colonel James A. Ryan, Commanding Officer of the Second Reserve Officers' Training Camp, after consulting with representative leaders of the First Camp, selected officers who had been trained in the First Camp to represent every company, every officer being a graduate of the company w^hich he represented. In addition, he instructed each company of the Second Camp to elect a delegate, to meet jointly in an executive session to complete arrange- ments for a permanent association.

These delegates met on November 2, 1917, and organized the Fort Sheridan Association. Several subsequent meetings w^ere held by the com- mittee, which resulted in the preparation of a constitution and by-laws and the adoption of the following plan of operation.

PLAN OF OPERATION FOR THE FORT SHERIDAN ASSOCIATION During the War

1 . Maintain Headquarters — Chicago and Paris, if possible.

2. Personal Service — to provide:

A. Loans to officers.

B. Care of families.

C. Proper care in case of casualty.

3. Legal Department, to furnish information and help.

A. Pensions.

B. Compensations.

C. Insurance.

D. Personal legal matters.

4. Information Service with Registration Bureau.

A. In re family.

B. In re officer at front.

C. In re officer at home.

5. Co-operating Agencies.

A. Council of State Defense.

B. Red Cross.

C. American Bar Association.

6. Extension Course.

A. Continuation of training while rnen are waiting call.

B. Pamphlets and material valuable to men in their work in companies.

C. Interchange of experiences through publicity medium.

After War —

1 . History.

2. Reunions.

3. Support of National Measures requiring military experience.

4. Employment of officers on return to civil life.

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