Memorial Day 2023

We will not forget.

The 23 Brunswick County men who gave their lives in World War I

Killed in Action: Died of Disease:
PFC Walter S Brock PVT William F Brooks
PVT Harvey T Chadwick PFC John W Carlisle
PVT Jimmie Griffin PVT Carl J Danford
PFC Erastus Iredell Nelson Cook David L Dosher
PVT Harry Langdon Pigott Seaman James C Edwards
CPL Herbert B Ward SGT Robert G Farmer
PVT Manning Hall
Died of Wounds: PVT Claudie Hall McCall
PVT William Cross Hewett PVT Elijah Milliken
PVT Benjamin B Smith PVT Kendrick W Outlaw
PVT Cecil Smith Pierce
PVT Samuel C Swain
PVT Guy Ellis Watson
PVT David Williams
PVT Fred Wilson

 

Soldiers on our WWI Wall of Honor who gave their lives

Killed in Action: Died of Accident:
CPL Russell Kellogg Bourne PVT James Hemphill
SGT Richard J. Dennis
PFC Louis “Lolly” B. Doerr Died of Wounds:
Mech Dona J. Dugal PVT Edward Clarkson Bonnell
PFC Wilmer H. Eicke
PVT Ben W. O. Hildebrandt Died of Disease:
PFC Robert Anthony Strzempek PFC Vito Copola
PVT Carl F. Greene

 

The Brunswick County World War I Monument

“Dedicated to the men and women from Brunswick County, NC
who served their country during World War I
with Honor, Courage, and Commitment”

Center photo courtesy of Christine Urick

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The 1918 Fort Caswell Rifle Range is 105 years old today

The 1918 Fort Caswell Rifle Range is 105 years old today.
MAY 20TH 1918

Date on south wall

On January 21, 1918, the United States War Department proposed the construction of a rifle range adjacent to Fort Caswell, NC, for small arms training of soldiers “in view of the immediate necessity for instruction of men destined for over-seas duty” in World War I.

Continue reading and view the documents in the History section of the website.

Thank you to those who have joined us in saving this relic of the United States’ involvement in World War I!

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The Brunswick County WWI Roll Call: Mission Complete

On Veterans Day in 2018, the Brunswick County World War I Monument was dedicated at the site of the 1918 Fort Caswell Rifle Range, a nationally designated World War I Centennial Memorial. The Roll Call began that day to honor the 718 men and one nurse from Brunswick County who served in World War I.

Five years have passed since the Roll Call began, the completion delayed by the pandemic.

On April 4, 2023, the mission of honoring all WWI veterans from Brunswick County was completed with the calling of the final group of names.

View the Brunswick County WWI Veteran Roll of Honor to discover the date each veteran was honored during a ceremony at the Fort Caswell Rifle Range.

To view more details about the veterans, view the complete Brunswick County WWI Veteran list.

Stay tuned for more information about the completed mission.

Photo above: Veteran Fred “Stan” Stanley reading the Roll Call on Veterans Day 2019. His grandfather, WWI Veteran Robert Bollie Stanley, was the only WWI POW from Brunswick County. His family was honored during the 2019 ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Phyllis Wilson.

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20 Best Things to Do in Oak Island, NC

Quite a few readers have arrived at our website from a link to this story: 20 Best Things to do in Oak Island, NC.

The Travel Lens website describes the author Blake Walsh as a photographer and travel journalist from the UK. “He’s a travel addict visiting over 50 countries and has published over 500 articles about his travel adventures.”

Thank you, Mr. Walsh, for including the Fort Caswell Rifle Range in your list of 20 best things to do in Oak Island, NC!


Photo of the WWI Centennial Commemoration and Brunswick County WWI Memorial Dedication, November 2018

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Our Second Newsletter

The second Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range newsletter was recently sent via email to supporters. While the intention was to distribute more frequent newsletters, illnesses caused delays.

Included in the newsletter:

  • The 1918 Fort Caswell Rifle Range is 105 years old on May 20, 2023. Without your support, it may not still exist today! Thank you!
  • The rifle range had a special cleaning, as shown above.
  • Updates on a few special friends.
  • Plans and future needs.
  • Updates on book sales and donations.
  • Items from our mailbox.
  • A short overview of the Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range (FFCRR), which traces back to 2011.
  • The membership campaign continues in 2023 to raise money to fulfill the FFCRR mission.

The newsletter may be downloaded here: Winter 2022-2023 FFCRR Newsletter

If you would like to be added to our newsletter email list, please send your email address to ftcaswellriflerange@gmail.com.

We apologize to anyone who did not receive the newsletter. The email address we have for you may be out of date or missing.

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In the News – December 8, 2022

Thank you for joining us in November for the Veterans Day program.

The Brunswick Beacon published a very nice feature in the December 8 edition, which can be read here:
NSDAR in Brunswick, area rifle range honor veterans

The State Port Pilot also published a story on November 16. It may be available online here:
Event at WWI site at Caswell Beach honors veterans

The next Roll Call is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th, 2023, to commemorate the date the US entered World War I in 1917.

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season!

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November 14, 2022: The Veterans Day program has been rescheduled

The Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range has moved the Veterans Day event to Monday, November 14, 2022, due to the tropical storm Nicole. Same place, beside the rifle range at Caswell Beach, same time, at 11:00 am.

Park in condo parking lots, not on the grass, and bring a folding chair to sit on.

Thank you,
Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range Board Members

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Monitoring Tropical Storm Nicole

We’re monitoring the path of Tropical Storm Nicole and the changing weather forecast. A rain date for the Veterans Day program may be necessary.

Any announcement will be posted here and sent via email using our newsletter email lists.

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Join us for Veterans Day 2022

The Friends of the 1918 Fort Caswell Rifle Range (FFCRR) and the Brunswick Town Chapter NSDAR announce their joint program for Monday, November 14, 2022, at 11:00am beside the rifle range in Caswell Beach. The public is encouraged to attend.
Note the new date, rescheduled due to tropical storm Nicole.

After a 2 year delay caused by the pandemic, they will resume the Roll Call of the names of the 718 men and women from Brunswick County who served in the Great War. FFCRR president Norma Eckard said, “We are excited to continue the program of honoring the men and women who served by calling their names. We also have a historic program to offer folks.”

Following the Roll Call, the cannon Thor, donated to the Southport Historical Society, will be fired by their crew members.

Brunswick Town Chapter NSDAR member Caron Myers will portray World War I Navy Nurse Susan Adkins Williams, who was raised in Southport.

Caron will also sing “God Bless America.” The words and music were written by Irving Berlin during the Great War but the musical piece was not used until 1938.

Taps will be played by Richard Slease at the end of the program.

FFCRR’s recently published book Brunswick County in the Great War will be available for sale after the program.

Those attending may park in condo parking lots but not on the grass. Please bring a folding chair to sit on.

The next Roll Call is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th, 2023, to commemorate the date the US entered World War I in 1917.

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In the News – August 18, 2022

Dr. Norma Lee Eckard, president of Friends of the Fort Caswell Rifle Range, presented a review of the recently published book, Brunswick County in the Great War, at the Southport Oak Island Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Ronald and Norma Lee Eckard hold copies of the book, Brunswick County in the Great War, published with their daughter Amy Eckard.
Photo courtesy of Phyllis Wilson.

The Brunswick Beacon published an account of the meeting, which can be read here:
Eckard reviews ‘Brunswick County in the Great War’ at SOI Chamber meeting

As always a big Thank you! to our valuable local media for continuing to publicize and support our efforts, and to the Southport Oak Island Chamber of Commerce for their support!

To purchase a copy of the book, click on
Purchase a Book.

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