Remembering Armistice Day — World War I cannon in Railroad Park:
This
picture, taken November 11, 1929 (Armistice Day), shows American Legion Post
170 members in front of a captured German 9.2 inch howitzer in Railroad Park
(Thomas Centennial Park).
In May of 1929 the Legion secured the cannon from
the United States government. Shipped from Florida, it weighed 9,700 pounds
and occupied an entire railroad car.
Local businessmen contributed to the
shipping cost. The Legion was told that there was no carriage for the cannon
because the government made use of them and did not give them away.
Legion
members then made forms, poured concrete and placed the cannon on a
permanent base in time for the observance of Armistice Day.
Pictured are,
front row, left to right, beginning second from left, Hjalmer E. Lafving,
Sr., Edward Carlson, Walter LaHayn, Norvil Rosbrugh (sailor), Robert
Johnson, Bennett Reling, Elmer Isaacson, Roy Carlson, Henning Johnson, Evert
Eggleston, and far right man unidentified. Second row, left to right, Royal
Atkinson, Harry Carlson, unidentified, Edward Reglein, unidentified, Warren
R. Canright, Michael Wood. Back row, third from left, George Stephens,
Walter Carlson: others unidentified. (Picture courtesy of Westchester
Township History Museum)
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Off to war: Cannon donated to war effort: In 1942 the captured German
cannon placed at the southeast corner of Railroad Park (see above photo) was
donated to a scrap metal drive for World War II. The men in this picture of
the cannon being loaded on a truck are not identified. For many years after
World War II the base remained in the park as a silent memorial for both
World Wars. (At rear left is the park band stand on its original wooden base
at its original location.) (Picture courtesy of Westchester Township History
Museum)
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Posted 11/10/2006
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