Area soldiers’ service in WWI will be highlighted in talk tonight

Staff Reports Posted 8 February 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Matthew Ballard, interim director of The Cobblestone Museum, will share stories of several local veterans of World War I during a presentation tonight at 7 at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church.

The Cobblestone Museum is currently developing an exhibition entitled “The Lost Generation” focused around the contributions of Orleans County soldiers to WWI.

Residents familiar with local history are aware of Company F of the Medina Armory and the service of that unit during the World Wars. Many men enlisted with other units and other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces well before President Wilson issued his declaration of war in April of 1917.

Ballard will be the featured speaker during tonight’s meeting of the Orleans County Genealogical Society. Ballard will share stories of several local men who served with the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps during the war and will highlight the service of Company F, 108th Infantry during the unit’s attack on the Hindenburg Line in September 1918.

Although the unit suffered its heaviest casualties, the men of the 108th were the only ones to break the German defenses. The heroics of their sacrifice was noted through the numerous citations and medals awarded to the men of the company.

Guests are invited to bring along stories of their own ancestors’ service during the war and are encouraged to share photographs, records, documents and letters.

The program is free and open to the public. The Pullman church is located at 10 East Park St., Albion.