American Legionnaires throughout the nation plan Thursday, Nov. 11, to commemorate Veterans Day through the program “Never Forget,” the Centennial of the creation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, in Washington D.C.
Jackson-Silver Post 68, for its part, will host an image exhibit derived from the scrapbook of Cpl. Harold A. Lurvey, a charter member of the Post.
The premier showing of the “Never Forget” exhibit will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jackson-Silver Post 68, 595 Gore Road in Locke Mills, a village in Greenwood, except during the Post’s Veterans Day commemoration ceremony from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Admission is free. All are invited to both the showing and commemoration ceremony.
According to a news release from Post 68, Lurvey — a member of the 2nd Regiment, Maine National Guard, having previously served in the Mexican Border Service against Pancho Villa — was activated again upon America’s declaration of war against Germany, in the spring of 1917. His regiment was redesignated the 103rd Regiment, being incorporated into the newly-formed New England 26th Yankee Division.
The 26th YD was the second American Division to reach France in 1917. Lurvey served in the Division until Oct. 30, 1918, participating in all the battles in which his Regiment was engaged. On the 30th, he was transferred to the 1st (Big Red One) Infantry Division 12 days before the Armistice was declared on Nov. 11.
He remained with the 1st throughout the American Occupation of their sector of Germany, returning to the United States in September 1919. Thus, Lurvey was involved from the very beginning to the end of America’s war effort in World War I.
His scrapbook and various state and national certificates of gratitude for his service were donated to the post for safekeeping by his niece, Auxiliary Unit 68 member, Beverly (Lurvey) Melville, wife of post member Richard Melville, at the centennial of the armistice in 2018. It was her stated desire in making the gift, that the graphic images of war that her uncle had assembled be shared with the public, as long as the original images (snapshots, post cards, 6.5- by 4.75-inch military photos, and area currency), not be removed from their scrapbook pages.
The more than 80 images were scanned, expanded to a uniform 8- by 10-inch format, and individually framed. Given that some of the images convey the full terror resulting from what was the world’s first truly mechanized war on land, sea and air, the exhibit may not be suitable for all ages, or for those who may experience an emotional response upon viewing it.
For more information, contact Harry G. Orcutt, Post 68 commander, at mgen1775@gmail.com.
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