Dozens of World War 1 veterans who served at Deming’s Camp Cody a half-century ago convened here last weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of the 136th Infantry Division.
Originally, the 136th was made up of national guard units from Minnesota and surrounding states. The 800 members of the 136th Infantry Veterans’ Association, now are scattered from coast-to-coast, but a large part of them still live in Minnesota.
Although early arrivals had some pre-union activities, the reunion actually got underway Saturday night with an informal dinner at the White House Cafe, sponsored by the Luna County Historical Society.
Formal registration began at 10 o’clock Sunday morning at La Fonda Restaurant, and was followed by luncheon and short program. A business meeting was conducted that afternoon, and then the group re-assembled at the site of the old World War I camp to watch Mayor A. D. Graveline install a plaque in dedication to the soldiers who were stationed there.
Although veterans of the 136th have been getting together for annual reunions since 1922, the reunion here resulted in at least on unusual meeting. Albert Myrvold, who now lives in Conrad, Montana, and Harold Olsen of Socorro, New Mexico, met for the first time since they left Camp Cody in June 1918.
Myrvold, a native of Norway joined the army during World War I. Myrvoid stayed in the army following the war because he wanted to see Hawaii. He is now a retired farmer. – Deming Headlight Newspaper – February 1967
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