The Honor Roll, south of the Town Hall along Main Street, was erected by the Newport Board of Trade about two months before the Armistice was signed. According to John McCrillis, chairman of the Memorial Committee, the Roll of Honor was never intended to be a permanent monument, but was designed to encourage those men who were still expected to enlist. At one time townspeople objected to this site, suggesting the Common as a better place, but it remained in the Main Street location for close to thirty years.
In 1927 and 1928 the Legion became concerned about its deteriorating condition, and asked the Selectmen to help with its reconditioning in hopes of it becoming a presentable memorial. In May of 1928 Delford R. Graves painted the cast iron Honor Roll black, the names of the living in aluminum, and the names of those who lost their lives in World War I in gold.
