100 years ago in The Record
Wednesday, Aug. 22, 1917
City organizations are scrambling today to organize a parade and reception for its citizen soldiers before they head south for regular army training, The Record reports.
The Second New York National Guard Infantry regiment, based in Troy, has become the 111th U.S Infantry for the duration of the world war. The troops, including hundreds from Troy, are expected to leave New York shortly for training camp in Spartansburg, S.C., where they’ll receive final preparations before crossing the Atlantic for the war against Germany.
The regiment has been based in Schenectady County during its police protective duty stint, which began shortly before the U.S. declaration of war last April. Schenectady gives the 111th a farewell parade tomorrow. After lobbying from Mayor Cornelius F. Burns, regimental commander Col. James F. Andrews agreed to send the regiment to Troy for a second parade on Saturday, Aug. 25.
Details on the Troy event remain sketchy as this evening’s paper goes to press, but “This much can be said. The soldiers will be given as sincere and impressive a reception as Troy can possibly give in the shot time available for preparations.”
All our reporter knows for certain is that the parade will start at 3 p.m. “How many streets will be covered, where the line will begin and where it will end are as yet undecided.
“Some are of the belief that the occasion should be as simple as possible. Simplicity means greatness; simplicity is attached to sincerity; simplicity is a part of seriousness. That is their philosophy.
An editorial writer offers another opinion. “Troy has no desire to send its boys to camp with somber cheers and sad faces; it wants them, however, to know that the city bids its soldiers Godspeed as they start on their way to the nation’s defense.”
The parade should assure those at home “of the part they will play in making the world safe for democracy. These are no longer boys playing soldier. Out of the lighthearted life of militiamen they have won the stamina and the serous determination of seasoned fighting stock. They are ready and glad to do their part and their part will be a noble one in the dark days ahead.”
As the former guardsmen prepare to move south, local exemption boards have now met the quotas set for additional men following the July 20 draft lottery.
The first draft district reached its quota yesterday, but will still conduct physical exams for the men called in last weekend “in case of quota shortage.” They’ll be the last men called in by the draft boards for now.