The family of WWI Veteran and POW Pvt Robert Bollie Stanley was honored at the event.
Approximately 60 people attended the Veterans Day WWI Commemoration on a warm and sunny Monday morning on November 11, 2019.
At 11:00am, the time the Armistice went into effect 101 years ago, Norma Eckard, president of Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range began the program.
This year, the special guests were the family of WWI Brunswick County veteran and only POW, Pvt Robert Bollie Stanley.
Two grandchildren of Pvt Stanley (Fred Stanley and Deborah Bolin) began the continuation of the Roll Call for Brunswick County WWI veterans. Descendants who participated in previous commemorations returned: Gwen Clemmons Causey (granddaughter of Sgt Henry Lindon Clemmons) and David Lewis (grandson of Lt David Elton Lewis). Two were unable to attend, but are listed below.
For several years, descendants have attended the ceremonies held at the Fort Caswell Rifle Range. Their presence adds meaning to the Roll Calls. We have been honored to have the following special guests attend past commemorations:
- Lt Col (Ret) Duane Perry and his wife Denise Perry, niece of Pvt Harvey T. Chadwick who was killed in action during the Hindenburg Line offense on September 29th 1918;
- Kathryn Sellers Kalmanson, granddaughter of Pvt Craven Ledrew Sellers;
- Mary Willetts Earp and her family, who have three WWI veterans as ancestors: Pvt Frederick Arnold Willetts, Pvt George Finnis Willetts, and Mary’s father Pvt William Edgar Willetts;
- Dale Spencer, great niece of Wagoner Jackson Berry Potter;
- Glenn Kye, son of 1st Sergeant Lee Kye;
- Joyce Crabtree, granddaughter of Pvt Robert Eugene Robbins.
Many descendants of WWI veterans from locations other than Brunswick County have also participated and attended past commemorations. Many have submitted photos for the WWI Wall of Honor.
If your name is not listed here, we apologize and ask that you please contact us. If any descendants wish to participate or attend future commemorative events, it would be an honor to include you.
The program and script is available here for display or download: 2019 Veterans Day Ceremony Transcript (updated Nov. 14, 2019)
Thank you for those who attended and the marvelous supporters and donors!
The State Port Pilot and Brunswick Beacon published stories about the ceremony. They can be downloaded here:
Veterans Day at the 101-year-old Fort Caswell Rifle Range (bottom of page) and
Veterans honored at Fort Caswell Rifle Range ceremony. They are also available on the News section of the website.
Photos courtesy of Phyllis Wilson. Thank you!
You must be logged in to post a comment.