HACKENSACK 'S
HONOR ROLL
The Evening Record
January 28, 1918
Historical Society Plans Placing Tablet Containing Names in Public Place
Critics of history, often with much justification, enlarge upon the inaccuracy of its data; but few of those who criticize appreciate the great difficulty of obtaining reliable accounts or even correct lists under circumstances apparently the most favorable.
Everyone, probably, is intensely interested in this tremendous war conflict; many have relatives or friends caught up in it; and yet the care of public officials, the revision of lists already made and appeals through the press, leave the record still incomplete.
The Evening Record is publishing a list as full as has been obtained up to this time, and to certify it and fill it out it is requested by the Bergen County Historical Society, which is determined to make the roll complete, that anyone knowing of a missing name will furnish it, and also addresses both home and army, of those already on the roll.
This information should be sent to H. B. Goetachius, Little Ferry, who has the matter in charge.
As soon as the weather allows it, it is the intention to erect a tablet in a substantial public place, containing this Roll of Honor, so arranged that additional names may be placed as their bearers join the colors. This has been done in many towns in the New England States with excellent results in the stimulation of an espirit du corps.
Centuries from now, when the nations of today are in their graves and we are ancient history, the memory of this worst crime of kings will still be alive. No item that will permit posterity to view the catastrophe with a correct perspective should be allowed to disappear, and least of all, the names of those who lent the motive power of their lives to these immense events.
Come forward, then, with the information that is wanted, so that the future may know that the present was not dead to the rush of great events, but ready to chronicle everything that would help to tell a happier world to be, who those were who fought “That all men everywhere, might be free.”
NOTE: The article above, which was written on January 28, 1918 listed approximately 200 names they had received up until this point in time after this last statement. By October 5, 1918 the response to this request swelled the list to 827.
Note by Bob Meli
August 26, 2009
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SEND IN NAMES
FOR HONOR ROLL
The Evening Record
October 7, 1918
Committee Also Anxious to Get Corrections For Complete List
It was expected that a goodly number of names of local men in war service were missing from the Honor Roll printed in The Evening Record on Saturday, but the list printed for the purpose of getting as near an official list as possible. Relatives of those who are missing from the Honor Roll should communicate with Miss Lottie F. Clarendon or commissioner Meneely, who are in charge of arrangements for the placing of the Honor Roll on the Court House grounds and they are anxious to get a complete list of names before the Roll is started.
It has been possible to get an almost complete list of those who were in the draft lists but many have enlisted and their names are unknown. Only by this method can their names be secured and the committee will welcome all new names and corrections.
Miss Clarendon lives at 369 Union Street , her phone in 905-M.
NOTE: This article appeared only two days after the Honor Roll list on October 5, 1918. After this article the Great War's end was in sight and the paper and people of the city reflected those events in the newspaper. I did not see a copy in the paper through the end of the war with another Honor Roll list. Their may have been one in a date which was missing from the micro film or I just missed it. I would say that the Honor Roll of October 5, 1918 with the War ending only 37 days later is very close to complete. Weather they ever got this list up as of August 26, 2009 I (Bob Meli) do not know. I have not found a plaque with the men who served during World War I at the court house as the article mentions. The Great War ended and the Historical Societies wish to preserve the history may have been lost till now. Let us never forget those who have served.
Note by Bob Meli
August 26, 2009
