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Page 26 March 2016 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
Photo by Deb Spalding
Doughboy Statue to be Back by Mid-March
James Rada, Jr.
that was approved by the State of some reference to the segregated
Maryland. names, or interpretative signage in What is a “doughboy”?
“It took two seconds to knock town that explained the statue and
that thing out and six to seven Emmitsburg’s role in WWI.
months to get it back,” said Briggs. “This is an opportunity to get Although the U.S. soldiers of WWI
The slow process irritated many involved with the centennial of WWI are the ones most commonly given
residents, particularly Veterans, to explain the role of Emmitsburg in the nickname “doughboy,” it has
who did not understand why it was WWI,” Blanchard said. been used since the Mexican-
taking so long. Fred Wood, representing American War (1846-1848) to
Their ire was further inflamed American Legion No. 121, and Gene identify soldiers. It was even used
when some officials and residents Lingg, representing VFW No. 5568, at the beginning of WWII. The
began talking about replacing the both spoke at the meeting, saying name has also been applied to
plaque on the statue’s pedestal to they did not see a need for a second British troops.
integrate the names of the African- plaque. Both also pointed out that
American Veterans into the list of while African-American Veteran The name “doughboy” itself has
Caucasian Veterans. The names are names would not be segregated applied to fried dumplings that
currently segregated. today, the statue is historic and were an early version of doughnuts
The commissioners had heard that was typical for the time. and a baker’s apprentice. It was
Emmitsburg’s World War I from residents and Veterans However, today, that segregation of also used interchangeably with
Doughboy statue should be back previously about whether the names can be seen as a “badge of “doughhead,” a colloquialism for
on its pedestal by mid-March, current plaque should be replaced honor,” according to Lingg. Both stupidity.
according to Emmitsburg Mayor with a new one. The response to he and Wood said that it shows that The name irst appeared in
Donald Briggs. that idea was very negative, with there were African-Americans in reference to soldiers during
The statue, which was erected even descendants of some of the Emmitsburg who believed that the the Mexican-American War. No
in 1927 to honor the town’s WWI African-American Veterans speaking country was worth fighting for and explanation was ever given as to
Veterans, was damaged on June 17, out against it. did so despite the segregation of the why the nickname was used, but
2015, when a car hit the pedestal. On February 1, 2016, time. a number of theories have been
The pedestal was damaged and Commissioner Glenn Blanchard Both men were interested in advanced over the years. While
the statue suffered minor damage. presented some ideas—for discussion hearing more about the interpretive some are feasible, none have
Repairs were slowed at first, only—about adding a second plaque signage, and asked that the proof to support them.
because the historic nature of that explained why the names Veterans groups be included in the
the statue required a specialized were segregated, a second plaque discussions.
company to perform the repairs noting the statue’s rededication with
Photo by Deb Spalding
Doughboy Statue to be Back by Mid-March
James Rada, Jr.
that was approved by the State of some reference to the segregated
Maryland. names, or interpretative signage in What is a “doughboy”?
“It took two seconds to knock town that explained the statue and
that thing out and six to seven Emmitsburg’s role in WWI.
months to get it back,” said Briggs. “This is an opportunity to get Although the U.S. soldiers of WWI
The slow process irritated many involved with the centennial of WWI are the ones most commonly given
residents, particularly Veterans, to explain the role of Emmitsburg in the nickname “doughboy,” it has
who did not understand why it was WWI,” Blanchard said. been used since the Mexican-
taking so long. Fred Wood, representing American War (1846-1848) to
Their ire was further inflamed American Legion No. 121, and Gene identify soldiers. It was even used
when some officials and residents Lingg, representing VFW No. 5568, at the beginning of WWII. The
began talking about replacing the both spoke at the meeting, saying name has also been applied to
plaque on the statue’s pedestal to they did not see a need for a second British troops.
integrate the names of the African- plaque. Both also pointed out that
American Veterans into the list of while African-American Veteran The name “doughboy” itself has
Caucasian Veterans. The names are names would not be segregated applied to fried dumplings that
currently segregated. today, the statue is historic and were an early version of doughnuts
The commissioners had heard that was typical for the time. and a baker’s apprentice. It was
Emmitsburg’s World War I from residents and Veterans However, today, that segregation of also used interchangeably with
Doughboy statue should be back previously about whether the names can be seen as a “badge of “doughhead,” a colloquialism for
on its pedestal by mid-March, current plaque should be replaced honor,” according to Lingg. Both stupidity.
according to Emmitsburg Mayor with a new one. The response to he and Wood said that it shows that The name irst appeared in
Donald Briggs. that idea was very negative, with there were African-Americans in reference to soldiers during
The statue, which was erected even descendants of some of the Emmitsburg who believed that the the Mexican-American War. No
in 1927 to honor the town’s WWI African-American Veterans speaking country was worth fighting for and explanation was ever given as to
Veterans, was damaged on June 17, out against it. did so despite the segregation of the why the nickname was used, but
2015, when a car hit the pedestal. On February 1, 2016, time. a number of theories have been
The pedestal was damaged and Commissioner Glenn Blanchard Both men were interested in advanced over the years. While
the statue suffered minor damage. presented some ideas—for discussion hearing more about the interpretive some are feasible, none have
Repairs were slowed at first, only—about adding a second plaque signage, and asked that the proof to support them.
because the historic nature of that explained why the names Veterans groups be included in the
the statue required a specialized were segregated, a second plaque discussions.
company to perform the repairs noting the statue’s rededication with
