Honor a Veteran

World War I Veterans on Parade, Southampton ca. 1920. (Southampton History Museum Collection)

For hundreds of thousands of men in 1918, the numbers 11, 11, 11 were very lucky. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (11:00 a.m. Paris time on November 11, 1918) an armistice took effect, effectively ending the fighting in World War I.

Leland J. Burnett, Sr. (far right) and Comrades Departing from Southampton Train Station. (Image: Southampton Veterans Hall Collection)

One of those lucky men was Leland Jennings Burnett, Sr. (1896–1958) from Southampton. Leland entered into the army as part of the 12th New York National Guard Infantry Regiment, later redesignated the 52nd Pioneer Infantry. Leland is one of several Southampton citizens who served their country and who are recognized in the Southampton History Museum’s current exhibit.

Preparing the Exhibition. Burnett's Uniform on the left. (Image: Richard Lewin)

November 11 still holds special significance as the day Americans honor our veterans of war. On Monday, November 11 Southampton will continue its tradition of commemorating Veterans Day with a ceremony at 11:00 a.m. in Agawam Park. Prior to the ceremony there will be a short parade, beginning at the First Presbyterian Church. The parade will proceed down Jobs Lane to Monument Square. After the ceremony, there will be a reception in Veterans Hall. All are invited to honor Southampton’s veterans.

Monument Square and Legion (now Veterans) Hall. (Southampton History Museum Collection)

And all are invited to free guided tours of Southampton History Museum’s exhibit The Great War & Southampton. Tour dates are Wednesday November 13, and Thursday November 14 in celebration of Veterans Day. There will be three tours each day at 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm.