Memorial Day is an opportunity to pause & reflect on the Sacrifices of those who have died in service of our great Nation. Before you throw that burger on the grill this coming memorial day, and watch the Memorial Day ball games, I ask that you repeat the following sentence for all to hear. "In remembrance we celebrate your sacrifice and courage as a free nation. -Thank You"

 This Hillerich & Bradsby Co. No. PG, Playground baseball bat, features "ORDER NO. 1630-J, and the date 10 - 10 - 1918, inside the center brand. The barrel end is branded with the WWI "War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities" logo.

  Days after the U.S. entered the first World War in April of 1917, President Woodrow Wilson created a new Federal Agency, the Commission on Training Camp Activities. The program was designed to clean up the immoral influences associated with encampments and their surrounding communities. It was a great concern to the American Family, for the moral destruction of their sons, and husbands going off to war.

The program would help surround our troops with a healthy, cheerful environment, and to ensure the purity of the camp environment. Training camps would then mold not only soldiers, but model citizens who after the war would return to their communities.

 This 1913-1917 Reach Official American League baseballs features the War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities stamp.

 Shortly after the Commission on Training Camp Activities was in place, Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith launched a plan to support our troops by raising money through the "Bat and Ball Fund," to purchase athletic equipment, to outfit every U.S. military training camp.

The Knights of Columbus was active in raising money for the Bat & Ball fund, which was contributed to the Y.M.C.A. through the Red Cross.

 In 1918 Money was allotted to the Knights of Columbus to send secretaries to France that would take supplies referred to as "War Chests" to the front, and set up "recreation Huts."

  During their first month the Knights of Columbus passed out cartons of chocolate, chewing gum, boxing gloves, footballs, writing paper and envelopes. The trunk also included; four baseball bats, two indoor baseball bats, branded with the Knights of Columbus "K-C" shield, two dozen K-C Stamped baseballs, two catchers mitts, seven fielders gloves, and one chest protector.

Established in 1840, Draper and Maynard Company became a pioneer in the manufacture of baseball gloves in 1882 when it produced a padded model at the suggestion of a baseball player. In 1900 Draper-Maynard opened a new factory in Plymouth and became a major supplier of baseball equipment for both amateur and professional teams.