This monument was dedicated to the West High Boys who gave their lives in the World War. It was dedicated in 5/13/1919.  At that time there had only been one Great War.  Note that it was dedicated to the “Boys” because many of them were not yet Men.

Like so many men and women who died during the Great War. This like many other monuments to those who served in the Great war, although very visible is in large part, largely forgotten and invisible. Most residents in SW Rochester do not know it is even here. As the song says

“And did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind
In some faithful heart does your memory enshrine
And though you died back in 1916
In some faithful heart are you forever 19
Or are you a stranger without even a name
Enshrined forever behind the glass pane
Of an old photograph, torn and tattered and stained
And fading to yellow in a brown leather frame.”

Private William McBride is a song made popular by  Maken and Clancy  written by 1976 by Scottish Australian folk singer-songwriter Eric Bogle, that tells the story of a World War 1 deceased soldier.

11/13/16

© words and pictures Daniel DeMarle 2016