GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley’s American Legion Post 210 held a special ceremony, May 21, 2021 to honor and pay tribute to the sacrifices of the American military in World War One and honor the 100^th anniversary of one American’s return home.

Gridley’s American Legion, with the support of Gridley VFW Post 3751, highlighted Private Claude Clay Soper of the 115^th Field Signal Corps, American Expeditionary Forces. He was drafted at age 26 in 1917 and was later killed in France, December of 1918. His remains would not return home for 3 years.

American Legion Commander, Owen Stiles, said in his presentation regarding WWI, “116,000 Americans lost their lives. Over 80,000 died overseas from combat, illness, and other causes…. After the war, 44,000 (dead) were transported home from France and Belgium aboard homecoming ships that brought them back to New York Harbor. From there, they were sent on to their final resting places across the county. The May 1921 arrival of one ship, the USAT Wheaton, was chosen for an official national commemoration ceremony.” The remains of Private Soper were aboard that ship. Stiles continues, “One week before Memorial Day, President Harding welcomed home the more than 5,000 men and women brought back on the voyage, and paid tribute to all of America’s returning war dead.”

100 years to the date of Private Soper’s return to the States, and ultimately Butte County, Gridley VFW, Gridley American Legion, and volunteer active military joined together to honor the 100^th year anniversary of his and the 5,000 other souls that returned home that day with the World War One Remembrance ceremony.

A beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, sung by Kari Wheeler, opened the ceremony followed by the pledge of allegiance. Supervisor Todd Kimmelshue, Congressman Doug LaMalfa and Gridley City Councilwoman Catalina Sanchez were in attendance. An invitation to three dignitaries brought Supervisor Kimmelshue to the podium, followed by Councilwoman Sanchez who echoed his statements on honor and service. Commander Stiles then directed the rest of the presentation. After background on Private Soper and the 100-year anniversary, a moment of silence was observed. The flag outside memorial hall was brought to half-mast, taps was played, and a 21-gun salute was provided by an honor guard comprised of American Legion members, VFW members and volunteers.

No matter what branch they served in, which veterans’ group they were or weren’t part of, the military men and women present at the World War One Remembrance ceremony did what they do best – united together to make the remembrance ceremony a reality and honor their fellow service men and women in proper military fashion.

Supervisor Kimmelshue said, “World War One was supposed to be the war to end all wars, and of course we know what happened after that…. many more lives have been lost, American lives… lives lost throughout the wars. I think it’s only appropriate that the local VFW, local veterans, have events like this so that we never forget the sacrifices that our men and women in military service [made].”