BERRYVILLE — Clarke County residents are planning a special program to mark the centennial anniversary of the end of World War I, the international conflict that author H.G. Wells once said was supposed to be the “war to end all wars.”
“Lest We Forget: Berryville-Clarke County Veterans Day Observance” will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Clarke County High School on Mosby Boulevard. It is intended to honor all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and it will offer reflections on the 100th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement that ended the war.
Germany and the Allies signed the Armistice Agreement in France in 1918 at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, thus ending a war that left nine million soldiers dead and 21 million wounded.
On the first anniversary of the end of the war in 1919, Nov. 11 became known as Armistice Day. After World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day officially became Veterans Day.
World War I, which some historians have called “the Great War,” began in July 1914. It embroiled most European nations along with the United States and Russia, plus the Middle East and other regions. The United States fought alongside the Allies — mainly France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy and Japan — from 1917 until the end of the war.
More than 200 Clarke County residents served in World War I. Berryville resident and former U.S. Marine Capt. Lloyd Williams was one of them. As a company commander in France, Williams and his men encountered French troops retreating from the Battle at Belleau Wood. When a French colonel told Williams to withdraw, Williams famously replied, “Retreat hell! We just got here.”
A group of about a dozen Clarke County residents formed the World War I 100th Anniversary Committee last November. Their main focus has been organizing the “Captain Lloyd Williams Day,” which was held in July, and Sunday’s Veterans Day program.
All veterans attending the program will be recognized. A special “Veteran of the Year” recognition will be presented to a Clarke resident — the identity of whom will be announced at that time — who served the nation and returned to serve the Clarke County community. Clarke County Board of Supervisors Chairman David Weiss will make the presentation.
Berryville resident, Vietnam veteran, historian and past American Legion Post 41 Commander Robert Ferrebee will be the guest speaker.
There will be a ceremonial wreath-laying by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9760 Commander Tom Vorisek and current American Legion Post 41 Commander Jon Joyce.
Music will be performed by the Clarke County High School orchestra and band, the Johnson-Williams Middle School Chorus and the Clarke County Community Band.
Boy Scout Troop 34 will present colors.
Each person in attendance will receive a “Buddy Poppy” — also known as a “Remembrance Poppy” — an emblem inspired by the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields.” The American Legion first adopted the flower as a symbol of remembrance in 1920.
After the program, those attending are invited to a free lunch at VFW Post 9760 at 425 S. Buckmarsh St. in Berryville.
For more details about “Lest We Forget: Berryville-Clarke County Veterans Day Observance,” contact World War I 100th Anniversary Committee Chairman William Watson at 540-705-1441 or 202-222-5586. Or, send an email to committee member Patricia Dickinson at mayor@berryvilleva.gov.
— Contact Mickey Powell at mpowell@winchesterstar.com
