Pvt. Ted Norville Rea 1895-1918

REA, FRIIS

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 9/4/2010 at 10:52:06

The Palo Alto Tribune
Emmetsburg, Iowa
7 Aug 1918
Page 1

Two Emmetsburg Boys Make Supreme Sacrifice

Rollyn E. Leonard and Ted Rae Give Their Lives for Cause of Democracy

Word reached here Friday morning that Rollyn E. Leonard was killed in action in France. No further particulars were given and this is all that will probably ever be known. On Monday morning Mrs. Ted Rea received word that her husband was killed on the same date.

Ted Rea enlisted in December, 1918 (sic). At first he was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. Later at Camp Grant, Ill., Camp Hancock, Georgia, and Camp Merritt, New Jersey. He went to France about three months ago. He was a member of Company M of the Seventh division. Mr. Rea was twenty three years of age. He united in marriage with Miss Louise Friis on May 8, 1917. Shortly after the news of his death came his wife received a letter from him that was dated June 25, wherein he said he had just returned from the reaches.

The keen sorrow that is felt by the relatives of these two brave boys is shared, in a measure, by the entire community. We all owe them a debt of gratitude and can only feel that their lives were given that we might enjoy the blessing of liberty.

Palo Alto Reporter
Emmetsburg, Iowa
28 Jul 1921
Page 1

Another War Hero Brought Home

Ted Rea Laid To Rest In Evergreen Cemetery With Military Honors

Emmetsburg held its first military funeral on Tuesday afternoon of this week when the remains of Ted Rea, who had paid the supreme sacrifice on the battle fields of France and which had been brought back to this country were interred in the family lot in Evergreen cemetery. Ted was one of the first to respond to his country's call and enlisted early in the war and was among the first to get across to France. on July 15th, when the American Army began that wonderful and irresistible advance on the German lines Ted was among those in the great attack and was among the first to fall on the field of battle. He and Roland Leonard were both killed on that day and were the first from this county and from Emmetsburg to give their lives in defense of the honor and integrity of their country and the rights of humanity. Saturday the remains arrived in this city accompanied by a U. S. soldier as a guard of honor. The casket was taken to the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Fredricks and remained there until the funeral was held. The funeral was set for Tuesday afternoon and it was strictly a military funeral being in charge of the Leonard-Rea post of the American Legion of this city. During the funeral hours all of the business houses in Emmetsburg were closed as a mark of honor to the heroic dead. The procession was headed by the band and the remains were taken to the Congregational church where the service was held. The sermon for the occasion was delivered by Rev. J. E. Brereton and was of a very impressive character. Prayer was offered by Dr. LeRoy Tirus Weeks and the spiritual reading was by Rev. McCay. Rev. Nilsen, who in his trip around the world had visited the battle fields of France and had visited the grave of Ted gave a very vivid and impressive account of his visit there.

Rev. Brereton took for his theme of discourse, "How are we to keep faith with our Heroic Dead," and contended that we could only do so by our loyalty to the moral ideals and the true principles of a free government. A devotion to all that is best in the national life is in keeping with the spirit of self sacrifice that so many of the youths of this land made during those frightful years of war. It was a sad crowd that stood on Broadway and watched the military procession that wended its way to Evergreen cemetery to lay away in its native soil the remains of a true soldier, patriot and lover of country. As the American flag floated to the breeze of the afternoon over the grave and the salute for the dead was fired the last sad notes of the bugle sounded the dirge for the dead and those notes were wafted slowly back from the distances the moisture came to many an eye as they remembered the pain, the sorrow of the hour when the first news came that Ted had fallen on the battle field of Chautou Thierry.

The music for the funeral occasion was furnished by the Congregational choir and a duet "Face to Face" was sung by Mrs. Earle Beebe and Guy Campbell. Mrs. W. R. Schroeder was also called upon and on behalf of the Service Star Legion gave a eulogy of Ted Rea and the patriotic devotion that impelled him to give his life for the good of his country.

Ted Rea enlisted on December 7, 1917 and in less than eight short months he had been sent across the ocean and taken his place on the front line trenches and on July 15th, 1918 he gave his all. To the mind of the Reporter this nation can never do enough for these brave youths that in the time of stress and turmoil when the world stood paralyzed by the fear of that which threatened the life of the people these brave American boys sprang from the front trenches along the American battle line, full and fair in the face of a boastful enemy and hurled them staggering backward along the entire line toward the country from which they came. The world looked on with wonder and fear hoping and trusting that the advanced line of the American army would stand but it did not, for it advanced still further day by day until the foe was in full and complete rout and the world breathed easier for they saw the end in sight. Ted was one of these boys that brought the end about and it is but fitting and proper that his memory should be hallowed in the hearts of the people that knew him and for whom he gave his all.