By Michael Perna Jr., Contributing Writer
Photo/Michael Perna Jr.
Shrewsbury – This listing of Shrewsbury residents recently came to light at an estate sale. It was printed by Ralph McKenzie, a lifelong town resident who ran a small printing business out of his home. He served for a short time during the war, and his name appears on the list.
Although the list catalogs World War I veterans, it appears that it was printed during the World War II years, as several of the illustrations around the borders of the document depict World War II era aircraft and equipment! At the top are listed the men that lost their lives in the “Great War” – this is timely in that there are plans to have a historical display relating to Major (Dr.) Howard Beal in the main lobby of the Beal Elementary School, currently under construction, on Lake Street. In addition, the gym will be named (as was the gym in the “old” Beal School at the center of town) in memory of Private Michael Nee, the youngest resident to die in the war.
Of further interest, listed at the bottom of the document, are the two women that served as nurse during the war, Ruth M. Sieurin and Maria Ducey. Ruth Sieurin later married Stewart W. Paul, who went on to become a Lieutenant General and later replaced Dwight D. Eisenhower (after retirement from the Army) as the president of Gettysburg College.
