A $450 deposit is needed to reserve a spot. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit the battlefields of WWI Belgium and France, with historians and descendants of soldiers who died there, at the exact time and place a hundred years later, where hundreds of New Yorkers broke the Hindenburg Line. We'll be traveling from Sept 24- Oct 2, 2018, Approx $3,600 includes flights, hotels, transportations, museum admissions, local guides, historians on-board and several meals. It'll be covered in the press too. Join us!

Wednesday, July 18th at 6:30 PM

There will be three informational sessions about the planned trip to Belgium and France this September 24th through October 2nd to honor the 40 County residents who died on the same day in 1918 during the Battle of the Hindenburg Line in World War I.

 

The informational sessions will be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 18th, August 15th and September 12th at the North Plank Tavern in Newburgh.

 

These sessions will provide an opportunity to talk about the trip and answer any questions about logistics of traveling. This is open to anyone who has already signed up for the trip or for those who are considering the trip and would like more information. We thank the North Plank Tavern for graciously offering us a table for this event.

30 North Plank Road

Newburgh, NY 12550

Part I: The Plaque on the Stone

By Aaron W. Lefkowitz

     Whenever you're driving through any of the local towns, you often notice that there is a small patch of land on the side of the road, normally with a metal plaque on a large rock. To the locals, these small monuments are the War Memorials, to all, who have served our nation, but before they were the War Memorials, many of them were first Memorials built in remembrance of World War I. With the hundredth anniversary of the end of the War, this November as well as American forces contributions beginning in Summer of 1918, I felt it, that it would be a great mission to find and document the various local memorials built in remembrance.

     I decided that the best place to start was in my hometown of Chester. When I was in the Cub Scouts, every Veteran's Day, we would have a short ceremony with local veterans at the Fire Station, there was a large stone by the flag pole, that served as the center of the ceremony. So, I figured that this was probably my town's memorial. My hunch was right, next to the flag pole on a small lawn was an old stone with a bronze plaque attached. The title read, "IN HONOR OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER: WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WAR", and listed all of residents, who answered their nation's call.

     Among the names listed, one that especially stands out is Corporal Wesley Allen Hoyt, who served in the famous 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. Corporal Hoyt died heroically on the opening day of the Battle of Belleau Woods, June 6th, 1918. Belleau Woods would be one of the first American battles of the War as well as one of the most famous.

     Another of those, who made the ultimate sacrifice was, Private Daniel S. Burrows, serving in Company L of the 105th Infantry Regiment of the 27th Infantry Division. Burrows would also die in the line of duty, in aftermath the Battle of the Hindenburg Line, on October 19th, 1918, supporting British forces as they broke through the heavily organized and fortified German Defenses.

     This is an enjoyable adventure for me because most of the local memorials are in plain sight and not hard to find, though often overlooked. Military History has always been a passion of mine and learning about our local veterans is fascinating. World War I is usually overlooked due to America's late arrival, but is important, in order to understand America's past.

     I was very excited to find this memorial, so close to my home, showing that Chester, had sent its boys and girls, just as willing and proudly as any other town. These brave young Americans served with distinction at many famous battles of the War. The price of Freedom is always high, but remembrance of these sacrifices is priceless.