Maple Street Trees Honor Vernon World War I Veterans Who Died

VERNON, CT — There is a copse of trees that line the perimeter of the Maple Street School campus in Vernon that have special meaning on Veterans Day.

They pay homage to the fallen from The Great War.

The Great War, of course, came to be known as World War I. Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said this week that, in 1919, 19 trees were spread out at what was then known as West District School. The trees represented this who gave the last full measure of devotion in the war.

West District School was replaced by Maple Street School.

Nameplates on the trees depict the service members. Some are difficult to read, but others vividly show the names, like one at the far right of the lineup that honors Pvt. Harold C. Lounsbury, who died on April 18, 1918.