Life After the War
On November 11, 1918, the chaos of World War I stopped as an armistice was called. Armistice celebrations erupted as many saw the “war that was to end all wars” end. Immense pride was felt throughout the country but especially in Connecticut. All throughout the state, the public worked to show their appreciation for the men and women who served in the war. “Honor Rolls” were built across the state to commemorate military service by Connecticut residents. Many companies, such as Aetna or Hartford’s own City Hall, attached plaques or made public displays to their buildings to commemorate the service of their employees.
Some residents took it upon themselves to commemorate service done by Connecticut residents. After World War I, Hartford resident and WWI veteran Charles Yerrington, compiled the names and profiles of fallen servicemen from Hartford and the city planted over 200 elm trees (complete with commemorative wooden tablets) along the driveway in Colt Park to symbolize the lives lost. Eventually ,officials replaced the wooden tablets with bronze plaques. Unfortunately, by the 1960s many of the elm trees succumbed to Dutch Elm disease. The associated plaques remained in storage until rediscovered in a basement in 2013.