On November 11, 1933, Father Duffy, American Legion Chaplain, spoke at the dedication of the Groulx Monument and Park, expressing his hope and prayer that it would serve as an inspiration to future generations. This monument was not just built to honor a hero, but to remind us of the sacrifices made by individuals like Charles Groulx.
The Charles Groulx Monument was presented to the City of Ogdensburg by American Legion Hanbidge Post 69. The monument and park were dedicated in 1933, in honor of Charles A. Groulx, the first soldier from Ogdensburg to be killed in World War I. The ten-foot-high monument is a cairn resembling historic markers in Canada, made of cobblestones set in the shape of a pyramid. Groulx was one of many young men from Ogdensburg who served their country during the Great War.
The incident that launched World War I was the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie; however, the official start occurred after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 8, 1914. Unrestricted submarine warfare sank several American ships and the Lusitania (1915), a British passenger liner. One hundred twenty-eight Americans were killed in the attack. Eventually, Germany agreed to the Sussex Pledge, which ended sneak attacks until February 1917. After Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, the U.S. declared war on April 6, 1917. Groulx volunteered to fight against the Central Powers.
Congress passed the Selective Service Act in May 1917, and by June, all young men were ordered to register for the draft. Over 900 men in Ogdensburg registered, and Company D of the National Guard was mustered at the Armory. In July, they were mustered into federal service. However, not all male residents were a part of the National Guard.
When the U.S. entered the war, Charles Groulx traveled to Syracuse to enlist in the heavy artillery. Unfortunately for him, he was underweight, so he enlisted in Co. H of the Ninth U.S. Infantry. He left for Europe on September 15, 1917 and attained the rank of corporal. Groulx was the son of French-Canadian immigrants, Francois Xavier and Josephine Labrosse Groulx of 430 Kiah St. His father was a butcher who owned a meat market on Ford St. He had two sisters, Anna Groulx Perry and Emma Groulx Woods, and three brothers, Leonard, John, and Joseph. At the time he enlisted, Corporal Groulx was employed at the Manhattan Silk Mill, located at the old Ames building on Ford Street. This mill was the largest employer in Ogdensburg at the time, with 400 employees.
Groulx’s half of the regiment departed Hoboken, NJ, on September 18, 1917, on the RMS Carmania, arriving in Liverpool, England, on October 2, 1917. The regiment proceeded to Bourmont, France, and trained there during the winter. Training continued that spring in Bar-le-Duc and Chaumont-en-Vexin. Groulx’s regiment went by truck to Chateau Thierry on May 31, 1918, and held the Vaux Sector, engaging in brutal trench warfare.
Trench warfare began on the Western Front at the First Battle of the Marne in 1914. By the time the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) entered the war in 1917, both the Central Powers and Allies were fully entrenched along the Aisne River. These trenches stretched for hundreds of miles and were utilized for the remainder of World War I. Between 215,000 and 263,000 soldiers died during this battle, with 12,000 American casualties.
Groulx’s regiment participated in the Second Battle of the Marne, halting the German advance on Paris. These men repulsed repeated German attacks from June 1st to July 9th, taking Vaux on July 1st. This battle was just one part of the larger offensive on the Western Front.Groulx was killed in action on July 5th and was buried at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Belleau, France.
Groulx’s parents were notified of his death a month later, and his funeral was held at Notre Church with several hundred people in attendance. A second funeral was held in September, arranged by his friends from the Manhattan Silk Mill. However, this was not the only tragedy that the Groulx family suffered. Anna Groulx Perry and Leonard Groulx, siblings of Charles, died of the Spanish Flu on the same day in October. Their father, Frank, contracted the disease as well, but survived. His family reported that Frank never fully recovered from the Flu and the deaths of three of his children. However, the sacrifice of the Groulx family would not be forgotten by the City of Ogensburg.
As the bitter cold wind whipped through the streets, a sense of honor filled the air on November 11, 1933. Plans to construct a monument in memory of Charles Groulx's sacrifice had been in the works since his father's passing, and finally came to fruition. Despite the freezing temperatures, hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects at the dedication ceremony. The procession, led by a color guard and police, was a sight to behold, with Company M 108th Infantry, legion drum corps, firing squad, dignitaries, and the Groulx family all in attendance. The park and monument stood as a symbol of remembrance for not only Charles Groulx, but also for all the brave soldiers who gave their lives in World War I.
Thank you to Carl and Denise Groulx for donating Charles Groulx materials to the Ogdensburg History Museum.
Comments
Post a Comment