The Maine Central Railroad Company offered round-trip tickets to the sixty-third annual national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, which was held in Portland from September 8 to 13, 1929. G.A.R. encampments typically lasted several days and included committee meetings as well as recreational events such as parades, concerts, formal dinners, and memorial services.

The 1929 national encampment was the second held in Portland, and 1,221 voting members were in attendance. Total membership in 1929 was 26,219. Commander in chief John Reese presided over meetings beginning on September 11th in the city auditorium. The 63rd national encampment marked the second year in a row that the general public was allowed to view meetings from the gallery, as a show of gratitude to the city of Portland for hosting the G.A.R. In these proceedings, representatives discussed the establishment of headquarters, veteran pensions, and the formation of future committees. Representatives voted to establish headquarters in Worcester, Mass. for the following year.