"The tradition to pay tribute to all veterans who are serving and have served in the United States Armed Forces dates back to the end of the First World War. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, Germany signed an Armistice with Great Britain, France and the United States. The United States designated November 11 as Armistice Day on the first anniversary of the end of the First World War, November 11, 1919. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954," the Boylston Historical Society & Museum says.

"The Honor Roll in this photograph was dedicated on September 19, 1919 to the forty residents of Boylston, Massachusetts who served in World War I. It was located at the base of the flagpole on the Boylston Town Common. The dedication of the honor roll was part of the “Welcome Home” celebrations for the veterans.

"According to the description by William O. Dupuis in History of Boylston 1886-1979 “All the homes and public buildings were festooned with red, white, and blue bunting and flags.” The celebrations took place on the Boylston Town Common and began with a band concert by the Worcester Brigade Band, followed by 144 students singing ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ and ‘Victory’, and the invocation by Rev. George S. Dodge."

"One hundred years ago today, April 6th, 1917, Congress formally declared war on the German Empire, and the United States joined the Allies in the Great War. The nation prepared for war; within a month, dozens of West Boylston men had enlisted in the military and a surge of patriotism rallied townspeople to ration food, donate to relief efforts, and work together to support the soldiers and their families," the Beaman Memorial Public Library says.

"Below is the Honor Roll of every person from West Boylston who served in the war. Notable on the list is Maj. Victor E. Edwards, for whom our elementary school is named. Do you see any familiar names in the list? Let us know! Help us honor these men’s service and memory this month as we commemorate America’s entrance into World War I in 1917."

"In 1919 an upright plaque with the names of the fallen soldiers of World War I once stood at the base of the flagpole on the Common," the Boylston Historical Society & Museum says.



"The plaque was removed and replaced by The Soldier’s War Memorial, a large monument made of Barre granite, dedicated at Boylston’s Memorial Day services in 1937, and was designed to honor all who have served in wars from Boylston.

"The monument’s center tall piece is an estimated 12 feet high with an 18-foot wide base. It rests at the top of the highest point of the Boylston Town Common where for many years it has been the center of Memorial Day activities."

"Though the United States entered World War I nearly three years after conflict began, American soldiers came to Europe enthusiastic and in large numbers. The draft selected and inducted nearly three million men into the military, and their entrance boosted the morale of the Allied Powers," the City of Newton, MA, says.

"Volunteers enlisted in the War for a variety of reasons. Some had been in the military prior to the War and kept with their divisions when they were reorganized for service abroad. Many joined the military for the first time, out of fidelity to the United States, out of commitment to their friends and loved ones, and for the excitement of conflict abroad.

"The following list contains information on Newton residents who served and died in the War, organized alphabetically by last name. Each entry contains information available from veteran cards, city directories, and entries in Newton’s War Memorial book, as well as from college war memorial books, gravestones, obituaries, and other sources, accessed through search engines and online databases."

Photos: World's First World War Honor Roll, world record in Boylston, Massachusetts

(1) Boylston Historical Society

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