roger.pape Site Admin
Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 414 Location: Liverpool, NY
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Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:07 pm Post subject: World War I Rally in Concordia |
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For the 100th anniversary of the United States entry into World War I, there have been numerous articles in newspapers, books, and on TV about the “Great War” (to end all wars). Various activities were held throughout the country, such as recruiting day rallies, Red Cross parades, and war bond drives. Being a German community, such celebrations in Concordia were probably somewhat subdued but certainly quite patriotic.
Because the photos in the Rehkop/Peterson Studio collection were taken primarily during the 1910s, one will find a large number of the pictures that are related to WWI. Search the collection and you will find many of them. (Click on the magnifying glass at the top right corner of the photo thumbnails and enter the tag 'WWI' in the search box at the top of the window.) It was very common for recruits to have a portrait of themselves taken in their uniforms.
When reviewing these photos, I came across several that appear to be a rally for recruits held in Concordia sometime between 1917 and 1918. (Shown below.) Two of the photos appear to be the same group of 12 men but in a slightly rearranged order, standing on Main Street in front of the post office building. I was unable to positively identify any of them because of the shadows in one and the smudges in the second. (The tall man third from the left in the back row could be Hugo Sodeman.) If any of you recognize some of them, feel free to add a comment to the photo (free registration on flickr required) or send me an e-mail.
The third photo (probably taken the same day) shows a rally in Central Park. The location is obvious because of the “new” city hall in the background (built in 1916) and the old wooden water tower (with its slender legs) still standing next to it. Notice the soldiers saluting on the left and the band playing on the right. What is interesting in that photo is the woman with her arm raised, leading the group in song (probably the National Anthem). If you zoom in a bit, you will see many of the people with their mouths open joining in.
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Group of WWI recruits on Main St., Concordia, MO |
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![WWIRecruits_a.jpg](files/wwirecruits_a_372.jpg)
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![WWIRecruits_b.jpg](files/wwirecruits_b_147.jpg)
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Rally in Central Park, Concordia, MO |
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![WWIRally.jpg](files/wwirally_667.jpg)
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