Pvt. Francis Xavier Elder First to Enlist, First to Fall by Richard D. L. Fulton “I am about to enter the fight for democracy…”   ~Francis X. Elder, 1918 In 1917, as the United States entered World War I, the soldiers of the 1st, 4th, and 5th Maryland (state national guard) regiments found themselves on their…

by James Rada, Jr. 1922 – The marines Conquer Thurmont The U.S. Marines fought valiantly in World War I in places like the Battle of Belleau Wood in France. After the deadly fighting there to drive the entrenched German troops from Belleau Wood, Army General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force, said,…

Clifford Stitely Died Helping Others 100 Years Ago by James Rada, Jr. On November 6, 1918, the peace talks between the Allies and Germans had been completed. Men who had fought so hard for years looked forward to the peace that would take place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th…

The First Emmitsburgian to fall in WWI by James Rada, Jr. The United States entered World War I when Congress declared war against Germany in April 1917. At that point, the fighting in Europe had been going on for nearly three years. The Weekly Chronicle ran editorials supporting the U.S.’s involvement, and also began running…

by Christine Maccabee Faith in the Seeds:A Message of Hope for Earth Day 2017 One of my favorite short stories is The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono. A wonderful half-hour film was created around this story, through the use of masterful and inspiring watercolor animation. It takes place in France and is about…