Ocean County Commemorates
the Great War
By: C&H Staff
T
he United States entered World War
I on April 6, 1917. Ocean County
played a significant part in that conflict.
The Ocean County Board of Chosen
Freeholders is commemorating the
100th anniversary of World War I and
the impact on Ocean County.
First, Freeholder John C. Bartlett, Jr.
designed commemorative decorations
on the façade of the historic Ocean
County Court House. Both ends contain
26 foot pull downs that have 48 stars
(Alaska and Hawaii do not become
states until 1959). Two large fans
frame the center space where a large
replica of the Ocean County service Freeholder Bartlett, Jr. with Ocean County Services Flag.
Photo credit: Erik Larksen
flag contains a blue star for all 2,358
soldiers who served and returned. The
center has 75 gold stars for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Freeholder Bartlett commented, “these numbers are particularly impressive when
one realizes that nearly 50% of eligible males served in a 1920 population of
22,155.”
People may recall that the Court House façade was decorated between 2011 and
2015 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Ocean County in the American
Civil War (1861-1865). Those decorations were based on a surviving black and
white photo showing the buntings from that era. As Freeholder Bartlett explained,
“we do not have any photos from 1917; therefore we have to use our informed
judgement on what would be appropriate.” But we do know that the court house
played a significant part in Ocean County. Ocean County consciously emulated
in 1917 the send-off of our troops in 1861. Thousands lined Washington Street in
1917 to send off our “boys” and Civil War veterans rode in the parade to make the
connection even more explicit.
American Legion Post #129 of Toms River supplied an actual 1917 restored cannon
to underscore the solemn remembrance. The post is named after George P.
Vanderveer (1899-1917), the first native son of Ocean County to perish in WWI.
The cannon has been renamed “Phenia” the mother of Vanderveer and a benefactor
in the construction of their building on Main Street in Toms River. The members
of Post #129 supplied the honor guard for the April 6 event and have cooperated
in all the county events.
Second, on April 6, Ocean County Freeholder John C. Bartlett, Jr. led a formal
ceremony commemorating the US entry into WWI that included student readings
of historic writings from Ocean County at the time, music supplied by the Garden
State Philharmonic, a dramatic reading of “In Flanders Fields,” informational talks
Continued on page 3
Ocean County Commemorates from page 2
Photo credit: Donna Flynn
Freeholder Bartlett, Jr. with Phenia.
and the presentation of ten (of a
planned 28) replica service flags created
by the Seaport Stitchers. Freeholder
Bartlett commented, “this was a
solemn ceremony that helped the students to understand their history and
many of the factors that shape the
world they will inherit.” Please check
out highlights of the event on the
Ocean County Parks & Recreation
Facebook page.
Third, on April 28, Ocean County
Cultural & Heritage Commission hosted
the first statewide NJ World War I
Road Show at the Ocean County
Library in Toms River. A group of
experts from Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst evaluated World War I era
artifacts for participants. Representatives of the NJ Museum, the NJ Archives and
Rutgers University were on hand to give advice on the care and preservation of
these items. Various historical societies and state agencies set up displays in
Mancini Hall and helped share NJ related information and research opportunities.
The honor guard of Joint Base M-D-L posted the colors. Various officials spoke
including Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher and Freeholder John C. Bartlett, Jr. who also
gave a talk based on observations from the 87 out of a planned goal of 100 major
books about World War 1. As a retired history teacher and professor with a
master’s degree and all course work for a PhD, Freeholder Bartlett was able to put
the war and its causes into a unique perspective. The event was created by and
sponsored in part by the NJ Historical Commission. One high point of the day was
the production of a staged reading of “A Year in the Trenches” by the East Lynne
Theatre Company based on NJ residents in World War 1. The play was
commissioned by the NJ Historical Commission and the NJ State Council on the
Arts. The play with musical interludes will also be performed at Ocean County
College in October for Ocean County schools (limited bus subsidies are available).
Another high point of
the day was the unfurling and display of a
giant 20 foot by 30
foot American flag
that is traveling around
the United States as an
official centennial flag
for the Saving
Hallowed Ground
non-profit: savinghallowedground.org.
You can see more photos on the Parks and
Recreation Facebook
site.
Continued on page 4
World War I Centennial Flag.
Photo credit: Rich Peterson
Summer 2017
Ocean County Commemorates from page 3
About 24 participants wearing
white gloves in the NJWW1
Roadshow took the time to
respectfully unfurl and then
refold this symbolic treasure.
The event took place under the
bunting of the historic Court
House and next to the 1917
cannon from American Legion
Post #129 on the court house
lawn.
The Seaport Stitchers were on
hand to display their replica
service flags. They diligently
Freeholder Bartlett, Jr.
Photo credit: Thomas Spader
worked on completing the
remaining parts of the 28 flags
they are producing to honor Ocean County’s World War 1 participants.
Finally, future events are planned to commemorate Ocean County and World War
1 over the next two years culminating in a ceremony planned for Lakewood
anticipated in June of 2019 to mark the return of the majority of Ocean County
soldiers from Europe. Please check with the Ocean County Cultural & History
website for future events. http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/ch/
2018 Local Arts & History Program
Grant Applications Available This Summer
Grant applications become available in late July/Early August.
Grants are offered in Special Project Support and General Operating
Support. These grants are competitively awarded based on
project/program merit and other criteria. Grants are to be matched
dollar for dollar by the organization.
Contact the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission office
at (732) 929-4779, or at [email protected] for more
information, or to request an application at your earliest convenience.
More information on the FY 2018 applications will be available on
our website at http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/ch/frmGrants.aspx in
late July or early August.