Last year, we presented a temporary exhibit entitled “Honoring our WWI Veterans and those they left behind.” For Memorial Day, we will summarize the exhibit in a Five-part blog series for those unable to see it. It presents a fascinating window into how people of the North Fork, particularly those of the Cutchogue and New Suffolk area, honored and supported their veterans of the First World War. In this Blog, we talk about the WWI Honor Roll and its unveiling.
Dedication of the Honor Roll
Sept. 6, 1918
One of the most well-documented cases of the local community coming together to support the troops is the dedication of the honor roll and the North Fork Country Club parade that accompanied it.
Images from the time show that the community supported this dedication and the parade sponsored by the North Fork Country Club. A County Review article from that week reads:“On Friday, September 6, at four o’clock, the Cutchogue and New Suffolk honor roll will be dedicated. Village residents are required to display the Stars and Stripes in honor of the occasion. The 152nd Depot Brigade band from Camp Upton will furnish the music. Speeches and other events of interest will take place. In the evening a dance will be held in the Parish Hall. Let this be a well-patronized affair to show our appreciation and respect for the boys who are fighting for such a grand and glorious cause.“
In the Sept 13 edition, a follow-up article read: “Last Friday afternoon was a time that will long be remembered by all who attended the honor roll board raising at Cutchogue to honor our boys who are served their flag and country. We are told that all the afternoon’s pleasure was due to the efforts of our preserving young friends, Misses Bessie and Katherine Fleet, Mrs. F. Elliott Barteau, with the assistance of a few friends, and certainly great credit is due to the young ladies. The board, a work of art, was made by Edgar Tuthill of Peconic and decorated by Mr Flack of Mattituck. The music by the Camp Upton band was (to us at least) wonderful. The speeches by Rev. F. G. Beebe, Rev. Dr. Craven, Mr. Cosden of Southold, Rev. Father McCoy and Rev. Knesal all tended to make the mothers’, sisters’, sweethearts’ and wives’ hearts swell with pride with the knowledge that they had dear ones “over there” fighting the battle for right.”
The Honor Roll and golden eagle are currently on display in the Village Garage, along with posters from the exhibit. The Service Flag is packed safely in storage and will be brought out for special occasions.
