T~ H- 2 0- R- T Sr- B- V/- A- B- 2 B“ B- V/- S.
VQl. 8.
Friday. January 13t3>. 1922
f.9.t_Si
HBTIRm&TT OF SMGMf HAXBSt
This Post, and it is no exaggeration to say, the
Army in general, has suffered a distinct loss, this pst week, in
the retirement,at the end of 30 years of faithful, honest service,
of Sgt, Thomas Hayes, of Qo# ”E”, They are passing fast-the “Old
Timers”, and the youthful army that we have nowadays is too prone
to feel that the going of the veterans only proves that “youth
must be served1*, - is too snaguine that the place left vacant by
one who has stood to his task nobly in trying years, and has Given
himself unsparingly to the service of his country for a period
embracing nearly half a lifetime, can be easily filled. But the
students of military morale, the lovers of careers of adventure,
and heroic sacrifice, see in the passing of the “old timer” more
than a mere incident of the Service, and while they honor the
faithful follower of the Flag, they regret exceedingly his depart
ure from the ranks, for they see in the veteran a sterling example
of devotion to duty, and of uncomplaining, willing service, that
by his retirement, is lost to the Army, and no longer exercises a
guiding influence over his younger fellow-soldiers. In the careers
of such men there is a romance and a spirit of faithful devotion to
the Flag that cannot fail to thrill any man with red bl&od in his
veins,- any man to v/hom patriotism and self sacrifice are more than
empty words# To the old soldier the nation owes a great debt of
gratitude, and willingly she pays it,- to him she says, with her
farewell hand-clasp,- ”3fou have served me well, old friend, and I
appreciate it,- It is novf my turn to serve you”*
Tne career of Sgt* Hayes is no exception to the
general rale* In many lands, and at several different crises in
the life of the nation, he followed the colors,- and in the tines
of peaoe he toad f&ithful to his calling, preparing his fellows to
answer well './lien the nation should summon again* Sgt* Hayes
entered the arny as a Volunteer in the Michigan National Guard in
tlie stirring days of *98, and served with his regiment in the
Phillipine Insurrection* Returning to the States when Island affairs
were settled, he joined the Regulars, in the Amy of Cuban Oocupat
ion, as a member of the 5th Infantry* ’it the end of his service in
Cuba ha transferred to the 15th Infantry, and for some time was
stationed at Plattsburg Barracks, New York* As a soldier in the
12th Infantry, he again saw tv/o years in tlie Phillipines, and on
returning to the States once more transferred to the 16th Infantry,
for a period of Border Patrol* /hen the 2nd Infantry went to Hawaii
in 1912 Sgt* Hayes was a member of that famous regiment, but on
reaching tlie States again in 1914 he transferred to the 21st Infantry,
and remained with that body until his retirement* In every enlist
ment he has been the "Honest and faithful soldier", v;hose service
was always "excellent", tlie pride of his commanders, and a splendid
example to his comrades# And. so v;e who have been his friends can
say with genuine feeling, "you have served well, old friend, and
v/e are the better for having served with you,- goodbye, and the
very best of luckl 11