the dedication for the spanish–american war nurses memorial was set for 3:00 p.m. on may 2, 1905. the order of spanish–american war nurses established a dedication committee to plan the memorial's unveiling. the committee had great difficulty in getting speakers to commit to the ceremony, and in setting a program. they were successful, however, in persuading colonel charles p. morton, commander of the 7th cavalry at fort myer, to provide a military band.