It’s early December 1918: The 'War to End All Wars’ is over. The 105th Field Artillery Regiment is quartered at Verdun, France, until the congestion of the railroad would permit it to move cross country on its return to the USA. The unit had been eating nothing but canned corned beef since it had arrived in France. Some enlisted men were roaming the area around the camp when they came upon a line of freight cars. Breaking into one of the cars, they discovered it to be loaded with fresh sides of beef. The E Battery mess sergeant was a butcher by trade. The meat was cut up with E Battery getting the best of the beef. The rest was divided among the remainder of the regiment. It was then decided there would be a special dinner held for the regiment. The officers of the regiment ate within the fortress of Verdun. The meal was held on Dec. 6, 1918.
This year, like every other year since 1918, the 105th Field Artillery will hold a dinner in December. This dinner will mark the 100th anniversary of the Verdun Dinner (actually the 101st dinner, since the first was held in 1918).

Donald Roberts
St. Augustine, Fla.
(914) 438-5057