Arkansas during WWI

"This year, we and the rest of the world will be observing the centennial of the First World War.  As the United States mobilized for war in 1917, many Arkansans questioned why America should get involved in a conflict that seemed to only affect Europe.  One Arkansan, a student at Harvard University, wrote home to his skeptical father in McCrory, Arkansas, explaining the need for the United States to enter into the war.  'You must realize that the rights and liberties we now enjoy have corresponding duties,' he wrote.  'People before us died to protect those principles we believe in, and we must protect them.  You ran away from Russia to a free country, and were received openly and given a chance to live.  If it were not for the principles of democracy I would be in Siberia or the army instead of Harvard now.' Then appealing to him on a practical matter, he wrote, 'When ships are sunk it affects McCrory vitally.  Where do you think cotton goes to?  If Germany could blockade England, your cotton would sell for 4 cents a pound, and people in McCrory would starve instead of getting 20 cents.  What affects one concerns all, but war is not fought for money’s sake, because our rights are things inherent, and can’t be bought with money.'”

-Brian Irby

On Saturday, the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History will be hosting their 2nd Annual Vintage Military Vehicle Show.  At 1:00, Brian Irby will be talking about Camp Pike and Arkansas during the First World War.  We hope everyone will come out and enjoy what promises to be a great event with a really interesting presentation!