Quackenbush family member donates World War I uniform worn by ancestor

By Roger Gavan
WARWICK — Sharon Quackenbush, the granddaughter of World War I veteran Howard Quackenbush, recently donated uniforms and other memorabilia from that era to the Warwick Valley Historical Society, which will be on display for the 2017 Village of Warwick 150th anniversary.
It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the official time of the World War I Armistice.
That was in 1918, after a long and bloody struggle, when the Armistice was signed ending the hostilities.
And what was celebrated each year after that as "Armistice Day" was, in 1954, renamed "Veterans Day."
A plaque in Warwick Town Hall honors approximately 350 local veterans of that conflict known as the "Great War," or "First World War."
Brothers from BellvaleTwo of those veterans were Arthur and Howard Quackenbush from Bellvale who had enlisted in the Army when America entered the war.
At that time a service flag with two blue stars signifying the number of family members in the war was displayed in the front window of their home. This custom continued during World War II. A gold star meant a family member had been killed.
Postmaster, train master, businessmenArthur Quackenbush was the first to enlist and served in a combat zone in France. When he returned he purchased a general store in Bellvale and also became the postmaster. Later, his son James Dudley became the owner of that Bellvale Quackenbush Store and also became the postmaster.
Howard Quackenbush had served as the Wisner station master and later became the owner of the local feed and grain store. He sold that business to his son Clint who recently passed away.
When Clint Quackenbush was in a nursing home, his daughter Sharon was cleaning out his garage and discovered his train master hat along with her grandfather's uniform and other military items.
Howard Quackenbush's uniform and train master hat will be displayed at the Historical Society's Buckbee Center at a date and time to be determined during next year's 150th year celebration of the incorporation of the Village of Warwick in 1867.
Editor's note: Research for this article was provided by George Arnott and Sharon Quackenbush.