One Hundred Years Ago – From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, September 29, 1921: Thousands of citizens lined Indianapolis streets yesterday afternoon watching 10,000 heroes of the Civil War march jauntily in the parade of the 55th encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. A mounted police escort, a fife and drum corps, and automobiles carrying various dignitaries led the old soldiers, dressed in the blue uniform of the Grand Army, their breasts gleaming with many badges and their faces shinning as brightly as the sun under which they strode, some with head erect, some leaning heavily on canes, some walking on crutches, proudly marching through downtown streets under departmental banners and the flags under which they had served. The 100-piece Purdue Band, on the north steps of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument behind the reviewing stand, sent forth stirring patriotic tunes to the marchers.