A Memorial Day Remembrance....Detroit's Own Polar Bears: Fighting and Dying in Archangel Snows
On October 18, 1929, Mary Clemens, the mother of Polar Bears Roy and Raymond Clemens, sat in the parlor of her home on Niles Avenue in St. Joseph, Michigan talking about her boys who had fought with American North Russia Expeditionary Force (ANREF). Her words described the heart-splitting paradox that war mothers have always faced. She said of her son Raymond: “Yes, they are bringing the boys back. I am glad. If I only knew for certain that one of them is Raymond, I would rather he be buried at home. Yes, I will have him brought here if we can.”[1]
Of her son Roy who had returned safely to St. Joseph she said that the draft board exempted Raymond. He could stay home and work the farm to help alleviate the shortage of food both home and aboard. Raymond refused. His younger brother Roy had been drafted and was going to war so Raymond went too. They both went to Camp Custer. They both were assigned to the 339th company. “They both went to Russia. Only Roy returned.” I thank God for that. He was spared and I am thankful,” his mother said.[2]
[1] News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Michigan. October 18, 1929. “Local Boy, Killed in Russia, Refused Draft Exemption.
[2] Ibid.
1918. A Doughboy Funeral in Northern Russia.
I am posting the rest of this article as a PDF because of its length. Please read it as part of our important Memorial Day Heritage.They sacrificed so much for us! Kathy Warnes
Of her son Roy who had returned safely to St. Joseph she said that the draft board exempted Raymond. He could stay home and work the farm to help alleviate the shortage of food both home and aboard. Raymond refused. His younger brother Roy had been drafted and was going to war so Raymond went too. They both went to Camp Custer. They both were assigned to the 339th company. “They both went to Russia. Only Roy returned.” I thank God for that. He was spared and I am thankful,” his mother said.[2]
[1] News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Michigan. October 18, 1929. “Local Boy, Killed in Russia, Refused Draft Exemption.
[2] Ibid.
1918. A Doughboy Funeral in Northern Russia.
I am posting the rest of this article as a PDF because of its length. Please read it as part of our important Memorial Day Heritage.They sacrificed so much for us! Kathy Warnes
detroitsownpolarbears.pdf |