100 years since U.S. entered World War I

One hundred years ago, President Wilson and others pledged it was the “war to end all wars.” If only.

The United States is perched precariously on the verge of a world conflict.

The eyes of the nation are focused on a faraway land and the rumblings that could bring America into an international conflict.

The latest headlines out of Syria?

Yes, but something else comes to mind — 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. Another tragedy, unrelated to war, occurred 100 years ago Monday on April 10, 1917 when 130 people lost their lives in an industrial explosion at the Eddystone Ammunition Co. in Delaware County.

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. “She went in to work for somebody else. She was never identified.”

Many said those 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.

On Sunday, 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.”

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 World War I spurred a huge military buildup that continues to this day.

America 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.

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 Americans looked back, honored those we lost, and pushed on in this sometimes messy process known as democracy.

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.