The following is an article originally written by Vern Steele in his column “Not Too Long Ago.” It was first published in the “Leader-Herald” on November 11, 1971. The article was sent by FCHS member John Collins, who was assisted in this research by Shari Peto, the Local History Clerk at the Gloversville Public Library. Thank you for sharing this informative and interesting article with us, John and Shari!
Not Too Long Ago
Dedication of a Statue
By Vern Steele
Forty-eight years ago today (on Armistice Day), the unveiling of “The Thinking Doughboy” statue on the walk leading to the entrance of the school administration building (former high school) on North Main Street took place.
On November 11, 1923, inclement weather caused a shift in the location of part of the ceremony from outdoors to the high school auditorium.
Shortly before 2:30 that afternoon, National Guard Company H under the command of 1st Lt. William E. Walsh, followed by members of the American Legion post, were led by the Gloversville Military Band up Main Street, across the school campus and into the building where seats had been reserved for them.
Seated on the stage were Mayor Frank A. Patten, other city dignitaries, several Gold Star mothers, elderly war veterans and the guest speaker, Col. Ransom. H. Gillette commander of the 105th Regiment.
The exercises opened with the band playing “Madelon,” the French song, known so well to the boys who passed many weary months in the trenches during World War 1. J. Ellsworth Stille, Kiwanis Club song leader, led members of the club in singing “America.”
Col. Gillette in his dedicatory address said, “Men died that you and I might peaceably assemble here today. The doughboy monument is a reverent tribute to those whose self -sacrifice and devotion saved us all from disaster and disgrace . . . it depicts exhausted humanity pausing in relief from the intolerable strain of conflict.”
Outside, hundreds of persons gathered in the rain while Ralph H. Moses presented the statue to the City of Gloversville saying, “To honor the men who survived the great struggle with Germany and to pay homage to those who paid the supreme sacrifice.”
Marie Wilmot, 10-year-old niece of Harold Wilmot, deceased war hero, pulled the string unveiling “The Thinking Doughboy.” Memorial wreaths were placed at its base as the band played “Nearer My God to Thee.”
Mayor Patten accepted it for the city and said, “View with pride and respect this statue erected where people for years to come may see it daily, a figure which is symbolic of those who have stood the brunt of war.
Then Karl Illava, the sculptor of the statue, spoke. A machine gunner in the 27th Division, he told of crossing over the ruins of a French town after the battle at Mt. Kemmel where he saw a U.S. doughboy sitting on some debris holding a German helmet, a symbol of victory. As he gazed on it, the sagging lines of fatigue were seen on his face. His expression was that of disillusionment not gratification of triumph.
From that face Mr. Illava said, “I gained my inspiration to fashion a statue representing war as terrible. My work embodies that phase of conflict, which, though not spectacular, is none the less as meaningful as that of more heroic episodes.”
“The Thinking Doughboy” delivers its message to all who read with these words:
Lest We Forget
“If ye break faith with us who die
we shall not sleep.”
Kipling’s line, “lest we forget,” was chosen because it harmonized so fittingly with the spirit of the monument. Coupled with the poet’s line is a quotation from Mai. John McCrea’s “In Flanders Fields” which should impress upon those who heed, the thought that the living “carry on” the fight for humanity.
