Annandale World War I Barracks 2804
Annandale World War I Barracks 2804
The following was compiled by the Annandale History Club secretary in
May 2016.
Thanks to newspaper articles collected by Helen Olson (1923-1999) of
Southside Township, information was found about an Annandale World War I
veterans organization, World War I Barracks 2804.
Annandale World War I Barracks 2804 was a fraternal and patriotic
organization similar to Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
4.7 million Americans served during World War I.
America’s entry into World War I came in April 1917.
World War I started July 28, 1914, and
ended November 11, 1918. United States
casualties were 116,516 dead, 204,002 wounded, and 4,500 prisoners or missing.
The last U.S. veteran of World War I, Frank Buckles, died in 2011 at age
110 in West Virginia.
Annandale American Legion Post 176 was organized in September 1919.
The Annandale Veterans of Foreign Wars Nicka-Warner Post 3994 was
organized in January 1945.
(Annandale men Leonard R. Nicka and William A. Warner were killed in action
During World War II.) Often Barracks
members were also members of either the VFW or American Legion.
As Annandale’s World War I veterans passed away, so it seems did
people’s memory of the once active patriotic organization, Barracks 2804.
Because of low membership and participation, Annandale American Legion
Post 176 joined with Maple Lake American Legion Post 131 in 2010.
Annandale VFW Post 3994, unable to gain new members, sold its building in
1989 and joined with Maple Lake VFW Post 7664.
Annandale World War I Barracks 2804
Annandale
Advocate, February 22, 1945: A
group of veterans of World War I held a meeting in Annandale last week at which
they decided to organize a barracks of the Veterans of World War I of the U.S.
There were 14 charter members.
Annandale
Advocate, April 1973: Excerpts
from Joseph Johnson’s obituary:
Joseph Johnson served during World War I from August 18, 1917 to May 12, 1919.
He was with the 166 Infantry and 42nd Rainbow Division.
He fought in five battles: Aisne Marne,
St. Mihiel, Meuse, Argonne, and the Defensive Sector…. Honorary pallbearers were
buddies of Barracks 2804, where he had been a charter member, and Annandale
American Legion.
Annandale
Advocate, September 1975: The
Ladies Auxiliary of World War I Barracks 2804 met September 8.
A thank you card was read from _____ Carlson.
To raise money for
the treasury, it was decided that each member would donate a quarter in the
month of her birthday. It was voted
to have a noon pot luck dinner Nov. 10 in honor of Veterans Day.
The Barracks will provide ice cream, rolls and butter.
All members are urged to attend the October meeting to make out a menu
and pay dues.
Get well cards were
signed by all and sent to Ida Nordstrom and Lars Olson.
Lunch committee for October:
Freida Stern and Ruth Willet. The
next meeting will be held October 13.
Lunch was served by Martha Holm and Agnes Kuemper.
Annandale
Advocate, 1976: FLAG POLE AND
MONUMENT AT CITY HALL – The new flag pole and monument marker have been
installed and the flag raised. The
monument marker was donated by the patriotic organizations, World War One
Barracks, American Legion Post and Nicka-Warner VFW Post.
The flag pole was a project of the City Council.
Shown in the photo are:
Harvey Hawkinson, Bob Nordstrom, Walter Hokkanen, Henry Jokie, Arnold Schmidt,
George Johnson, Val Lawler, Cliff Huikko, Jim Hill.
On the pole is Wm. McNellis, Jr. – Photo by Tom Fisher.
Annandale
Advocate, July 1977: Robert T.
Nordstrom, 77, of Annandale died July 17.
He was a past Commander of World War I Barracks and member of Masonic
Lodge and Nicka-Warner VFW. He
served in World War I 1917-1919.
OBITUARIES:
The following veterans’ obituaries mentioned membership in the Annandale
World War I Barracks 2804. Other names will be added to the list as they are
found.
Reuben T. Carlson
(1896-1973)
Elmer J. Froyen
(1898-1980)
Charles Geardink
(1897-1980)
Emil A. L. Holm
(1894-1976)
Ernest G. Holm
(1896-1974)
Joseph Johnson
(1894-1973)
Edward Marohn
(1891-1969)
Edwin E. Nordquist
(1896-1980)
Robert T. Nordstrom
(1900-1977)
Lars A. Olson
(1893-1975)
George A. Ridgley
(1899-1974)
Henry Rozenberg
(1896-1978)
William Westrup
(1893-19??)
World War I
Barracks 2804 Auxiliary
Clara Graupman
(1896-1973)
Martha Holm
Agnes Kuemper
Ida Nordstrom
Ruth Willet