Historical display remembers ‘The Great War’

World War I, also called the Great War or the War to End All Wars, will be remembered through the belongings, letters, dairy entries and articles of area residents who either fought in that global conflict or helped at home.

A display will be in place at the New Prague Library, 400 Main St. E, until the end of May. Dennis Dvorak of the New Prague Area Historical Society, put up the display, which includes memorabilia from those who served. This includes things that were brought home from the war, including uniforms and equipment, plus memorabilia such as rings and coins. There are photos of those who served.

The families of Peter Solheid, Benjamin Smisek and Stanley Pumper donated memorabilia for the exhibit. In addition, the Scott County Historical Society loaned a few items.

"It’s amazing that it was all kept," said Dvorak about the items, including letters and diaries from Smisek and Solheid. He noted that some of the letters were censored if they included information about the number of soldiers or dates.

A copy of Solheid’s diary is among the items in the exhibit. Dvorak noted the original was in broken English and German. The copy is available for reading.

World War I began on July 28, 1914 and lasted until November 11, 1918. Many men were drafted, and 1,890 men from Scott County registered for the draft. Area soldiers were sent to France, Germany, Romania and the Panama Canal.

The war had a lot of support from citizens with United States. Flags lined the city’s Main Street and residential neighborhoods. Women formed Red Cross groups to make bandages, formed Loyalty Leagues and knitted articles for soldiers.

"The women played an important role. They were unsung heroes," said Dvorak.

As with most wars, there were....

To see more on this story pick up the Ferbruary 4, 2016 print edition of The New Prague Times. 

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