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FROM THE BRYANT ROOM ARCHIVES
By Myrna Sloam, ©Sept/Oct 2003
James A. Lyons and the Roslyn American Legion Post
In August 1919 a group of more than 50 veterans of WWI organized an American Legion Post in Roslyn. Part of a national organization, the Roslyn Post (#122) was named in honor of Roslynite James A. Lyons, who was killed in France during the war. The Roslyn Legion Post continued to operate until early 2003, when it disbanded due to lack of membership.
At its inception, the Post met in the Neighborhood House (the ValentineHouse/Library Annex) and in 1923 moved into its new headquarters in the replica building of the old paper mill, in Roslyn Park. Known as "the dugout," a dedication ceremony was held in 1926. This building, located on Paper Mill Road, is now used by the Town of North Hempstead.
Throughout WWI, many men from Roslyn served in the armed forces. To honor their service and sacrifice, the Roslyn Neighborhood Association raised funds in 1920 to build the War Memorial Building on East Broadway. Today we know this building as the home of the Bryant Library. In addition to building the War Memorial a bronze memorial tablet, listing the names of all the servicemen, was also completed. In 1936 this tablet, The Honor Roll of Roslyn, was placed into a newly erected stone memorial in Roslyn (now Gerry) Park, where it still stands.
Although James A. Lyons was not the first Roslynite to die in WWI, he was killed in October 1918, only weeks before the November Armistice ended the war. In 1920, his body was returned to Roslyn to lie in state in the Memorial Building and a service was held at St. Mary's Church, prior to his burial in Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.
As was common in wartime, local newspapers often published letters home from servicemen. In the clipping files of the library's Local History Collection researchers can find both published and unpublished letters from a number of Roslyn servicemen. One of those that was published, is a letter written by James A. Lyons, age 24, just two months before his death. Written from France, after the Battle of the Marne, it is a letter to his uncle, William Miller of Roslyn. The text of the letter is as follows:
August 13, 1918
Dear Uncle:
I am sending you a belt that came from a Fritz. It was during the time that
the Hun started for Paris but turned and the Yanks have got him on the way to
Berlin. It was the battle of the Marne. I was on hand but cannot give full details.
A sergeant, corporal, eight privates and myself went out to perform our duty
about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. We showed ourselves a little too much and
the Huns kept us under machine gun fire for 6 hours. After 6 hours of motionless
strain, I crept in without lifting my head above my shoulders. The others did
the same. That night we got more Yanks and we went and got some of the Huns.
I got a pair of sniper glasses from a sniper that was concealed under a road.
But someone stole them away from me. Any way there are lots more. But we turned
all in, German pistols, glasses and etc except belts and a few other things
we are allowed to keep. And I am sending you a belt as a remembrance of the
Marne battle.
One time my company did a feat in broad daylight. The Huns bombed us, shells
played, machine guns fired, and everything he could do, but the Yanks beat him
to it.
It's a great war. I wish you could see a battlefield after the Yanks go over it. Plenty of Jerrys planted all over. During a barrage, a shell dropped five feet from me. My hair got gray from the wind of it. I have had three to drop as near as ten feet of me. But most of us can tell when they are coming near and drop on our faces. We think they are a mile when they drop at a hundred yards. I have had many a close call but God is good.
Uncle, what I want you to do is this. Have the best part of this letter printed
and let the Red Cross have use of the belt for a time. Then put it in your store
for people to see, and sign my name to it: Private Jim Lyons, but don't put
down the regiment. I cannot give full details about the war, but we are winning
all the time. Glad to hear you are having good luck in your affairs.
Bye-Bye,
JIM
NOTE: James A. Lyons was killed in France on October 13, 1918.
Note of Thanks: The Bryant Library Local History Collection wishes to thank
The Roslyn American Legion Post, and all its members, who have contributed items
to the Collection through the years. A special thanks goes out to Ray Jacobs
and to the families of Lloyd Hill, William H. Pickering Jr., and PioTeolis.
Their generosity and thoughtfulness have added to the rich history of the Roslyn
community.
Permission to reproduce, publish or display whole
text articles must be obtained from the Bryant Library Archivist.
Email: localhistory@bryantlibrary.org