Newport and World War I

Newport and World War I. The War to End all Wars. , On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany and began the arduous task of recruiting and training an army for battle in France. From May 2 to August 14, 1917, Company F, 3rd Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard gradually expanded to 126 trainees. While in Newport, they pitched 18 tents and a mess bungalow on the current site of the Newport High School. In a nation of immigrants and fearing sabotage, authorities tasked these soldiers with guarding Pennsylvania Railroad bridges in Newport, Duncannon and Marysville., While in Newport, the men created white stones with the company insignia which rested on the hill above the camp. In the 1970s, these rocks were relocated to create a representation of the Newport High School buffalo logo., During their sojourn in Newport, the men and officers entertained and were entertained by the local populace. The News reported "distress in the hearts of some of the girls left behind" when the men paraded prior to boarding the train for Philadelphia and Augusta, GA to continue training., In Perry County, hundreds of young men volunteered or responded willingly to regular draft calls. Several women sailed overseas to serve as nurses and medical personnel. In France, as part of the 28th Division, many died and still rest their today., On November 11, 1918, the war in Europe ended with approximately 20 million lives lost. Following their occupation duties, the county's surviving soldiers, sailors and medical personnel gradually came home. Newport held an official 'Welcome Home' on October 25 and 26, 1919 with a magnificent parade and festivities for the troops., Unfortunately, the flawed 1919 Versailles treaty left a bitter, angry Germany. Just a generation later the sons of these world war one veterans were called back to Europe to suppress Nazism. Since 1945, soldiers, sailors and air force personnel have remained in Europe to serve as a shield for democracy.