Veterans Day
Veterans Day is to remind the nation that my ancestor, too, fought and served for this country. My ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, WWI and WWII, the Korean Conflict (aka War).
America’s military history is still not properly told in America's History books. But, the truth is documented in USA and world newspapers, Congressional and court case documents, local histories and military records, etc. Here are 5 other resources to use when researching your veteran.
Let's do what we can to preserve and share America’s real history. Do not go silent! Our ancestors, all of our ancestors, must be honored for their “honorable” veteran service to the USA. linktr.ee/hittinthebricks
5 Military Research Resources:
Spanish-American War/Philippine Insurrection
Military Service by African Americans: America's History Part 1
Resources for Military History Research: Tips for Everyone
America's History Part 2
They Returned to a Divided County
In the Great-Grandmother Underwood old cedar chest there are ancestral pictures, quilts, and a family Bible. There are also letters and notes, and a semi-hard cover book from 1919 “
Victory – History of the 805th Pioneer Infantry American Expeditionary Forces” authored by Major Paul S. Bliss in 1919. In the right hand corner “July 5th 1918 July 8th 1919” is written.
It was no secret that Great-Uncle George Strader served in WWI, his service. His military files were destroyed in the 1973 NARA - St. Louis Fire, but Victory gives a thorough overview of the duties, challenges and environment of the 805 Infantry during this one year span as they were transported from Kansas to Europe and mobilized throughout France. Photos of thes service men were featured.
The 805th Pioneer Infantry Regiment, AEF, known as the Bearcats, was a "colored" unit formed at Camp Funston, Kansas. This unit served with the 1st Army and Advance Section Command in France during WWI and was a labor force of ditch diggers, undertakers and railroad mechanics. The 805th landed in France on July, 1918 and served in Europe until July 1919. They saw saw 39 days of action.
Great Uncle George,with Company D, traveled from Ft. Riley Camp Funston 25 August 1918 to Kansas City where they boarded the Wabash train to Detroit. They were able to stop in Moberly, Mo. for a proper military send off by the “colored citizens” of the town. From Detroit, they took passage by ferry to Canada, stopping in Niagara Falls for a short visit before reporting to Camp Upton, Long Island, 30 August 1918. On Sept. 1, they were shuffled off to Montreal Canada where they were shipped to Camp Romsey in England. Having yet to arrive in France, they crossed the English Channel for France on 28 September. (pgs 107-111)
He wrote home and the Lyons Republican, local paper for Lyons, Rice County, Kansas posted the lenthgy letter in the 14 Jan 1919 newspaper. He shared news of other black soldiers who were within a 30 mile radius: Sterling Kansas, Geneseo Kansas, and Great Bend, KS.
Great-Uncle George, noted as a local "Colored Hero" in Lyons, Kansas, was not so loved by the county he fought for.
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