Town of Hunter Tidbits: Remembering Veterans and D-Day
Recently celebrating Veteran’s Day, and approaching Dec. 7, the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor, seems a perfect time to repeat our Thank-You to Veterans of all wars, conflicts and non-conflict periods.
A few stories:
The last Civil War Veteran in all of Greene County was George Showers, a 98-year-old resident of Tannersville. Death date: Nov. 17, 1941. (Mr. Showers was the great-grandfather of Leah Showers Wiltse, past historian of the Town of Hunter.) George had a full military funeral at Tannersville’s Evergreen Cemetery. Showers was a member of the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) and was well known throughout the county. He was survived by two daughters, Carrie Bynder, and Margaret Ruoff; four sons, Arthur, David, Franklin and Oscar Showers.
THE AMERICAN FLAG RAISED AT H.T.C - SCOUTS GIVEN CHARGE OF FLAG PRESENTED BY LEGION POST #165.
“It was January 14, 1938, at nine-thirty am when the flag was raised on the newly erected flagstaff before the Senior High School. Mr. Rasbach, supervising principal, had planned this simple but effective ceremony that day. The Boy Scouts of the school marched out first, carrying the flag, and gathered below the World War Monument. The rest of the student body assembled on the steps above the flagstaff. Mr. Rasbach spoke briefly concerning the significance of the flag and then requested everyone to join in singing “America” and the second chorus of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” accompanied by Mr. Ullery on the trumpet. While Mr. Ullery played “Taps,” the flag was raised by Marvin Rose, assistant junior scoutmaster, and Fred Amm. Slowly the strains of the music faded away, and the students walked silently back to their classrooms.”
The Boy Scouts had the honor of raising and lowering the flag every day. This flag was the symbol of our country and a reminder of the interest of the American Legion. By Richard Campbell.
Part of this was written by Justine Hommel, my friend and 30-year town historian. Justine told about the aftermath of the Dec. 7, 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor and how it affected our town. Justine said, “the obvious effect of World War 11 was the absence of our boys and men, that either enlisted or were drafted.”
Justine told that the people remaining in town felt they were helping the cause when they collected pieces of tinfoil from candy and cigarette packages, pressing the foil into balls and donating them to collection centers. People were asked to save their paper bags, they were asked to purchase war bonds or the more affordable savings stamps. They limited their use of sugar, butter, and meat. Rationing stamps were issued for both food and for gasoline. Justine told that shoes weren’t made with real leather, and to make them last, you needed a lot of cardboard! There was an air-raid station at the top of Hill Street, across from the high school in Tannersville. The station was designed from a large dome (cupola) from the roof of the Anshi-Hashuron Synagogue. Justine said the town’s loss of gasoline and rubber (needed for automobile tires), created a decline in the tourist trade.
Thank you, Veterans. Thank you for your service.
Until Next week, take care, be thankful & be kind. You never know how your act of kindness may change someone’s life. Any comments or concerns, please contact: hunterhistorian@gmail.com, or call 518-589-4130.
Revolutionary War – 1775-1783; War of 1812 – 181 -1815; Mexican–American War – 1846-1848; World War 11 – 1939-1945; American Civil War – 1861-1865; Korean War 1950-1953; Spanish-American – 1898; Vietnam War – 1959-1975; World War 1 - 1914-1918; Gulf War – 1990-1991; Afghanistan War – 2001 – present 2019.
