Dear you,
November 11 is a special day. To America, it’s Veterans Day, a time for us to come together to thank our brave men and women for their service and their sacrifice. Outside of the US, it’s Armistice Day, or more often, Remembrance Day.
On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, the bloodiest war the world had ever seen ended. History books will share astonishing figures about the scale of destruction and the number of casualties. They will talk about the Generals, the Kings, and the Presidents.
Today, we remember the people.
Our mission at the Doughboy Foundation is “Keep Faith with the American Doughboy.” We work to ensure that the 4.7 million Americans who answered their nation’s call are never forgotten. That their stories are told.
Our Stories of Service library allows loved ones, friends, and historians to share the story of an American who served in World War I. The stories capture the rich tapestry of America; the men and women, immigrant and native, from every race, color, and creed.
Here are some Americans who represented the best of the American Spirit and whose actions shaped lives in ways big and small for generations to come.
Harriet Louise Carfrae. Red Cross Nurse. A Suffragette, temperance activist, and nurse. She served in Rouen, France at Base Hospital 21. She would fill the wards with fresh flowers from the surrounding woods and wrote home prolifically to gather items ranging from chocolate to suspenders for the men in her care. She stayed to care for the injured well after the war and received a Victory Medal from the British Government in honor of her service in 1920. She died in 1921 from complications likely resulting from mustard gas exposure.
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John Brother Cade, Second Lieutenant, US Army. John volunteered for the new WWI Officers School while enrolled in college. In Europe, John, alongside his fellow officers, taught over 2,300 Black service members how to read and write. He was wounded at Bois-de-Voivrotte, earning a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross for Valor. After his honorable discharge in 1919 he returned to school and graduated from the University of Alabama. Following a distinguished career as a college professor, author, and Dean, John passed away in 1970.
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Juan P. Quintana Jr. Private First Class, US Army. Born in Jicarilla Apache Reservation, Juan was not recognized as an American Citizen, but lied about his age to fight for his country regardless. Following the war, he remained in active duty, serving at West Point where he told General Douglas McArthur to get off the grass. After 20 years of service, he returned to his home and continued to serve his community as a grounds man, ambulance driver, interpreter and driver for medical staff. His legacy of service was carried on by his family. His son Kenneth, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren have served in the Army, Marines, and National Guard.
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These are the stories of America, and we are honored to be entrusted with them.
Someone in your family stepped up and served; whether it was in the trenches of France, the training grounds of Iowa, or the stock yards of Chicago.
Please, take a minute to learn those stories of your family and share them with us. You can submit your Story of Service HERE. Thank you, for keeping faith with the American doughboy, for ensuring that the stories behind the history are remembered. Happy Veterans Day.
Best,
Clair S. Sassin
Chief Executive Officer
Doughboy Foundation
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Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 