West Bainbridge Heroes Honored
D.A.R. Plant Trees at Public Cross Roads in Their Memory
May 8, 1919
The members of Ag-wron-doug-was Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution, induced by motives of patriotism and gratitude, have caused to be planted three road-side trees to memorialize the sacrifices of the three young men of West Bainbridge who gave their lives in the recent war.
The three trees have been most appropriately placed on the triangular lot at the crossing of the Bainbridge-Coventry turnpike with the road leading north of Afton through Union Valley, just west of the West Bainbridge school house.
On the southwest corner and the highest point of the lot was planted a sturdy young red oak. This spot being nearest the home of Lloyd Silvernail was chosen to symbolize the career of this study young volunteer, who, notwithstanding his youthfulness, pleaded for his father's consent to offer himself as one of his country's sea fighters. The permission was reluctantly yielded and he enlisted himself a sailor in the navy. His life was lost on the S.S. Covington in a sea fight with the enemy submarine. The two lower trees of the remaining corners of the plot are American elms and are in memory of the two unfortunate soldiers in the unavoidable hazards of the recent war. One of these was Norman Slater who was called in the selective draft and was killed in combat last summer somewhere in France. Mr. Slater was a conspicuously promising young man who enjoyed the respect and confidence of all who knew him. America produces no finer type of manhood than was Norman Slater, and in his supreme sacrifice he has not only deserved the lasting acknowledgement of posterity, but has raised the honor and fame of the locality in which he lived. That other elm symbolizes the death of Henry Hubbard, also called in the selective draft and killed in action last year.
That these memorials should in coming years develop into stately graceful way side trees should be the concern of all of our citizens in whom abide a love of country and of its fighting men. It seems to the writer that there could be no more fair or fitting tribute to these young heroes, nor one that would better meet with the approval of those who loved them best in life, than to thus sanctify this little crossroad plot about which a part of their youthful lives were spent. It should be a constant and beautiful reminder to all who pass these frequented roads of glory and honor which has come to these names and to their families in such ample measure.
The local chapter of the D.A.R. wish to take this occasion to express their abiding gratitude to Mr. Frank Ireland, the owner of the land upon which the trees are placed, both for offering its use for this purpose and for the substantial aid he has given in the matter of getting the trees planted.
Apropos on this widespread sentiment of honoring our soldier dead we give the now well known lines of Joyce Kilmer, the poet and ace who gave his life in France.
"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast.
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain'
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree."
Compiler note: This memorial was located at the intersection of routes 206 and 17 in West Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY. A number of years later, it became necessary to cut the trees down to accommodate road work being done in that location. A permanent memorial was then placed in West Bainbridge Cemetery by the D.A.R., consisting of a stone engraved with the names of the three soldiers.
