‘Hold them in our thoughts and in our hearts’

Portsmouth Veterans Day speaker focuses on WWI vets

By Jim McGaw
Posted 11/11/18

PORTSMOUTH — The time is now to uncover and preserve the stories of grandparents and great-grandparents who served in World War I, the guest speaker at Portsmouth’s Veterans Day …

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‘Hold them in our thoughts and in our hearts’

Portsmouth Veterans Day speaker focuses on WWI vets

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — The time is now to uncover and preserve the stories of grandparents and great-grandparents who served in World War I, the guest speaker at Portsmouth’s Veterans Day ceremony told a capacity crowd at Town Hall Sunday morning.

“Unfortunately, there are no longer any surviving veterans of World War I, but many left behind evidence of their experiences — letters, photos, artifacts and stories,” said Richard Norton, a retired Navy commander and professor of national security affairs at the Naval War College. 

“Record the stories (they) told, preserve the worn and tattered letters and diaries they left behind. For among the things we owe the veterans of 1918 is the simple act of remembering what they gave and what they endured.”

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Although Sunday’s event honored all veterans, Mr. Norton’s speech placed a special emphasis on the men and women who served in “The Great War,” in which more than 40 million people worldwide lost their lives.

About 4.7 million Americans served in World War I and more than 53,000 were killed in combat; of those, more than 600 came from Rhode Island, Mr. Norton said.

“We know that in 1926, at least 86 Portsmouth citizens had served in the first World War. We know this because their names are recorded on our town’s World War Memorial, which I am sure all of us, but perhaps fewer have actually looked at closely,” he said.

The memorial includes the names of wife and husband Gladys and James Haggerty, both of whom served, Mr. Norton said.

“There is also Sydney Smoot, a Navy chief machinist mate on the converted survey ship USS Leonidas, which was stationed in the Mediterranean during the way,” he said. “Also on the roll is Albert L. Purcell, an Army veteran who worked at Quonset Point as a mechanical engineer until 1966. Seven of the 86 citizens were women and about a dozen last names show up more than once.”

Mr. Norton said there are three ways people can continue to honor the sacrifice and contribution of World War I veterans. 

“First, it is useful to remember that hoping to avoid getting involved in world affairs and being unprepared to deal with reality rarely, if ever, leads to peace,” he said.

“The second way is by preserving whatever stories and artifacts these veterans left behind that illuminates their unique, individual stories.

“The third way is to keep doing what we are doing here and now: Coming together to remember the sacrifices these men and women made and the price they paid for us all. So, let us hold them in our thoughts and in our hearts, for whether they returned home or gave the last full measure of devotion, their lives were forever changed in the service of our country.”

Honor Roll

Carolyn Evans-Carbery, who created Portsmouth Project Blue Star in 2013 to honor local veterans, reminded everyone about the Portsmouth Honor Roll, which is located at Town Hall but also lives online (https://privhr.org), so anyone can access it at any time.

She and other members of the Veterans Honor Roll Committee recently spoke to third-graders at Melville School about the project.

“They were so engaged the whole time we were there, and they really listened,” said Ms. Evans-Carbery, noting that a similar presentation will be held at Hathaway School on Nov. 30 and the committee also wants to meet with high school students to discuss possible service projects.

Veterans not listed on the Honor Roll who would like to be included can download an application from town’s website (ww.portsmouthri.com) or pick one up at the town clerk’s office. 

There are currently 957 people listed on the town’s Honor Roll, she said.

Flag collection box

Nick Johnson, a Boy Scout from Troop 1, talked about his Eagle project: A disposal box for retired American flags that he installed recently outside the Portsmouth Free Public Library.

Nick hosted a flag drive at the library earlier this year, and with the help of the local American Legion and VFW posts has collected more than 600 flags in the past six months, he said.

“A flag shouldn’t just be thrown away, because it’s a symbol of our country,” said Nick, who thanked local veterans’ groups for helping him with his project.

Wreaths Across America

U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Josh Kempinski, vice president of the Surface Navy Association’s Newport chapter, gave an update on the Wreaths Across America  program.

National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, Dec. 15. Wreaths will be placed on veterans graves at more than 1,400 locations around the nation. 

Volunteers are needed to help lay the wreaths or assist in other ways. “Anyone who wants to come out, we’ll find a use for you,” he said.

For more information or to sponsor a wreath, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Veterans Day

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