Roosevelt's Rough Riders

                                      TO MEET YEARLY TIL NONE REMAIN
On the way to Cuba, Captain Buckey O'Neill had suggested that the "Military Order of the Morro" be formed to keep Rough Riders in touch after the war. In August 1898, as the regiment prepared to be discharged, the "Roosevelt Rough Rider Association" took shape, with Brodie as president and Roosevelt and Wood as vice-presidents. They agreed to meet in annual reunions.

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1902 reunion, San Antonio, Texas. Rough Rider veterans at this reunion agreed to purchase an artificial leg for Private Charles Buckholdt, who had lost his in a fight.

There were no official regimental reunions from 1905 until 1948, when the former Rough Riders met in Prescott to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the battle of Las Guasimas. About 65 of 107 surviving veterans attended. From 1949 through 1968 annual reunions occurred in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

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Rough Riders Reunion, 1910.

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Rough Riders Reunion badges and medals.

Despite the lack of official reunions, many regional gatherings did take place. One was held in Hollywood in 1928 to launch the movie "Rough Riders." Many Rough Riders also attended the annual meetings of the "United Spanish War Veterans," which were open to all who had served in that conflict.

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Assorted souvenir ribbons and pins from Rough Rider reunions.

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Jesse Langdon, the last of all the Rough Riders, died on June 28, 1975.

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Reunion ribbon worn by Theodore Roosevelt                                   

 

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The first annual reunion was held at Las Vegas, New Mexico, in June of 1899; the second in Oklahoma City; the third in Colorado Springs; and the fourth at San Antonio. In addition to socializing, the former Rough Riders pledged to help each other find employment and get out of difficulties. In 1905 they chipped in to buy an artificial leg for a member who had lost his own in a bar fight.

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1928 Rough Rider reunion, Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles.

Courtesy Las Vegas City Museum and Rough Rider Memorial.

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Poster for fiftieth anniversary reunion of the Rough Riders, signed by veterans of the regiment.

Courtesy Catherine Dervin.

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First Day of Issue covers commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the Rough Riders, October 27, 1948.

Courtesy Catherine Dervin.

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Rough Rider Stamps.

Courtsey Richard Williams.