Allen County residents sacrificed for World War I.
Allen County residents made significant contributions to and sacrifices for World War I, Allen County Museum Executive Director Patricia Smith said Monday.
The museum and Allen County Historical Society is marking the 100th anniversary of World War I with a large exhibit, Smith told the Lima Rotary Club. The exhibit will be up through the anniversary of the War’s end, the Armistice, Nov. 11, 1918.
Even though the United States did not enter the war until its last year, more than 116,000 U.S. soldiers and sailors died in the effort, including 150 from Allen County. The first from the county to lose his life, Corp. William Paul Gallagher, is the namesake for the Lima American Legion post. He was killed in France, and his body was buried not far from where he was mortally wounded, Smith said.
World War I was also a time of great paranoia and patriotism run amok that turned into anti-German sentiment, Smith said. Allen County was not exempt. Before the war, German immigrants were well-regarded and had integrated successfully into American society. The war changed that dramatically. The region had its share of secret societies that rounded up young men who didn’t have their draft cards with them. German was no longer taught as a foreign language in school, and German textbooks were burned. The news includes multiple accounts of mobs making residents prove their American allegiance with public demonstrations, such as being made to kiss the flag on the public square. American Township is so named today because its original name, German Township, was changed.
However, Allen County also contributed to other efforts, including buying war bonds and making and sending bandages and other wound dressings overseas. Dozens of groups got involved, including churches, Lotus, Red Cross, YMCA, Boy Scouts, Rotary, Masonic Lodge, and the chamber of commerce.
Allen County’s most famous contribution came in the form of the Liberty Truck. The truck was a solution to a problem on the front: When a vehicle broke down (this was the first mechanized war), it could not be fixed, because all the vehicles were different. The Liberty Truck was a single design and its parts could be swapped. In all, the Allen County manufacturer sent 5,000 trucks overseas, Smith said.
In other Rotary business:
Lima Memorial Health System CEO Mike Swick presented the Lima Rotary Foundation with a check for $10,484, proceeds from the fall Blood Clinic.
Dan Bucher and Mike Swick were recognized as Paul Harris fellows plus one.
Rich Dakin earned his blue badge and turned in his red badge.
The Special Needs Christmas Party is this Saturday. Santa & Mrs. Claus will be there to greet the approximately 90 special needs children and their families. We will be feeding approximately 315 people. Super heros will also be present and handing out comic books. Thanks to all who are volunteering for this long-standing Lima Rotary Club event.
You don't want to miss Monday's Rotary meeting. Demi Burden will be hosting A Live Conversation About Death. Come prepared to ask any questions you have about death, funerals, pre-planning and more. We will be streaming the meeting live on Facebook and taking questions from our online audience as well. Also Monday, we'll be handing out $28,000 in scholarships to non-traditional students. Please make plans to attend.
The Bath HS Interact Club has several projects on their agenda. Over 30 club members have signed up to help with the Special Needs Christmas Party. They plan to help with crafts, make balloon animals, paint faces, and spend time with party attendees. On 12/17/17 they will be having a social event for the holidays at the Bath Twp. Fire Dept. with Christmas movies, pizza, and hot chocolate for members to get to know each other better.
They are coordinating a “Dodge Out Drugs” dodgeball game on 1/5/17 during the Bath H.S. boys varsity basketball game. On 1/19/17 the club is participating in “Military Appreciation Night” and with help of the Lima Rotary Foundation, will be passing out
700 mini U.S. flags. The final project for January is their main fundraiser, the “Father/Daughter Dance” at Bath Elementary School. The Bath H.S. Interact advisor, Missy Vandemark and all of the students have been working hard. They continue learning about leadership, and service above self.
We are ringing bells for the Salvation Army Bell on December 16. We have added 2 new locations: Kewpee on Allentown Road and Walmart on Allentown Road in addition to The Lima Mall. We need more volunteers. Contact Drew Fields to sign up.
As always, the boys basketball season in Allen County promises to be a competitive one. It all starts with the Elida Tip Off Classic, featuring Elida, Bath, Shawnee and Lima Central Catholic high schools.
Vince Koza, sports marketing director with Childers Media Group, emceed an annual program Monday previewing the high school boys basketball season.
Many coaches said their teams are still not in basketball shape, especially those whose high schools saw football teams go deep in the playoffs.
One of the most successful programs from last year, Perry High School, is rebuilding a bit, head coach Matt Taylor said. Last year the team went 24-4 and for the first time in school history, went to the state tournament. The team has lost five seniors from that group and is now “a work in progress,” Taylor said.
Last year’s Northwest Conference champions, Spencerville, is also replacing a lot of experienced players, head coach Kevin Sensabaugh said. And they’re just getting started with meaningful practices because of the football team’s deep run.
At Elida, the team returns many seasoned players, head coach Denny Thompson said. They have eight seniors, four with significant varsity experience. While conventional wisdom has the Bulldogs as the team to beat in the Western Buckeye League, Thompson still believes the conference championship goes through Ottawa-Glandorf.
Don't miss the Lima Rotary Club's Christmas Party & Christmas Raffle on December 18.
Monday, December 18th will be our Christmas Auction and Christmas Party, and the program will be Singo! Singo is a musical version of bingo and instead of numbers, you play with music! We’ll have Christmas music, and please bring your dollars as we’d like to have everyone buy a Singo card for $1 and all proceeds raised will be donated that day to the Salvation Army to go towards the toy drive. You can buy as many cards for chances as you’d like! Don’t forget, Elvis is back to shake things up this year!
Your Christmas Raffle ticket money is due. Please buy or sell your $25.00 tickets. You can mail in the money or make arrangements with Dan Bucher to be billed or turn your money in at a Monday meeting. The winners will be announced at our Christmas party on December 18.