Part 2 of 2
The VWWI was organized on a national basis with subdivisions of Departments, Districts and Barracks which was the name given to the local chapter, camps, or entities of the organization. The members were officially called 'Buddies.' There was also a lady’s auxiliary. There were 10 regions covering the United States. A national convention was held each year, and in 1974 and 1975 it met in Kansas City, Missouri, where the National World War One Museum and Liberty Memorial are located.
Like many veterans’organizations, the VWWI had a constitution and by-laws adopted on 1 April 1976 and an official ritual which was adopted on 1 February also in 1976. The constitution and by-laws as well as the ritual followed a format very similar to that of the Grand Army of the Republic (Union veterans of the War Between the States) and of the American Legion. Like the Grand Army of the Republic, Veterans of World War I dissolved upon the death of their last member. Their executive office, formerly located in Alexandria, Virginia, closed, and the United States Department of Veteran's Affairs acted as the administrator of the organization.
In 1989, when the Veterans of World War I were the host of the Veterans Day remembrance ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, there were 100,000 WW I veterans remaining, whose average age was 94.
In 2010, there was only one member remaining in the organization, Frank Woodruff Buckles, who was the National Commander. Nationally, the last serviceman died in 2011, extinguishing the organization.
In San Saba, Barracks No. 1689 was chartered June 5, 1959. It was active and included a ladies auxiliary. The organization met monthly at the American Legion hall. Sometimes the veterans met jointly with the ladies auxiliary. The ladies auxiliary was extremely active especially supporting veterans in the hospitals with knitting and sewing projects and donating small gifts.
There is no mention of the organization in the local newspaper after 1986. William Thomas Taff was the last WWI veteran of Post No. 27 and Barracks No. 1689, who passed on June 7, 1986.
If you have more information about this organization, contact the post adjutant at 325-2050180.