100 years later, marking two epic events of the century
The United States is perched precariously on the verge of a world conflict.
The eyes of the nation are focused on a far away land, and the rumblings that could bring America into an international conflict.
The latest headlines out of Syria?
Yes, but that’s not what was on the minds of many in Delaware County this weekend. Instead, the county stopped to mark the events of a century ago, when America was plunged into World War I.
Some things don’t change in 100 years.
Back then, President Woodrow Wilson was a noted isolationist, reluctant to get America involved in a world war.
Today a lot of people believe in ‘America First,’ wary of our long stance as the world’s policeman.
One hundred years ago, President Wilson and others pledged it was the “war to end all wars.” If only. A day of pomp and pageantry was held at the Media Courthouse to make sure that the “forgotten war” gets its moment in the sun.
“We will make sure Delco vets would not be forgotten and that we honor their heroism and sacrifice,” said County Council Chairman Mario Civera.
The county has kicked off a campaign to flood open lands and gardens with poppies – the symbol of the soldiers who sacrificed so much in World War I and memorialized by Canadian Lt. Col. John McCann in his poem, “In Flanders Field.”
A poppy image developed by county businessman and artist George Rothacker will be used on posters and promotions to publicize the county’s “poppy push.”
The mood was a bit more somber just a few miles away in Eddystone, where they also were marking a century since perhaps the defining moment in the borough’s history.
It was on April 10, 1917, that an explosion ripped through the Eddystone Ammunition Co. More than 130 people lost their lives that day. More than 50 were never identified.
Nearly 100 years to the day later, loved ones and descendants of those lost in the explosion returned to Chester Rural Cemetery, and the common grave where those lost in the blast but never identified sits.
Among those who lost their lives that fateful day was Catherine Brennan Super. Saturday her granddaughter and grandson were on hand to make sure her memory – and that of all those lost the date – was properly remembered.
“She went into work but she wasn’t scheduled to work” that day,” said her granddaughter, Catherine Meyer of Prospect Park. “She went in to work for somebody else. She was never identified.”
Many said several borough residents who would go on to fight in World War I never saw anything on the battlefield that matched the horrific scenes and carnage they witnessed that day in their own little town.
It was left to the Rev. Charlie Thomas, pastor of Eddystone Methodist Church, to draw the parallels to the ever-dangerous world we live in today.
“One hundred years later, we are still faced every day with a tragedy,” Thomas told the assembled crowd. “Just as tragedy can strike at a munitions plant, we know it can strike in a European mall, it can strike in New York City, it can strike anywhere, any time.”
Thomas also offered a comforting thought to those who seem defeated, in despair, questioning their faith, wondering how God could allow such things to happen.
“He’s right there when bad stuff happens,” the pastor said. “He was there in the shrapnel plant when the first explosion hit. He was with all those people who rushed to aid. He’s there when the community pulls together as they did back then.”
And most assuredly he was there in Media, as well as in Eddystone.
World War I changed the face of America. Instead of simply a formidable, emerging giant, the war launched the United States to the forefront of the world, the primary defender of liberty and a new – at times controversial – role as the world’s policeman.
The Eddystone blast and the entry of the United States into
The county has kicked off a campaign to flood open lands and gardens with poppies – the symbol of the soldiers who sacrificed so much in World War I and memorialized by Canadian Lt. Col. John McCann in his poem, “In Flanders Field.”
World War I spurred a huge military buildup that continues to this day. American had to build an army, and then give it the weapons of war. Many of those men came from Pennsylvania, the second most populous state in the nation. The arms came from places such as the Eddystone Ammunition Co. and the nearby Remington Arms plant.
Instead of manufacturing arms for others, such as the British and French, the country united behind the “Doughboys,” Americans who would cross the ocean to defend freedom.
One hundred years later, we continue to do the same, defenders of life and liberty. This past weekend we looked back, honored those we lost, and pushed on in this sometimes messy process known as democracy.