American Legion Post 274 in Lusby held its annual Memorial Service at the gravesite of Arick L Lore, who was killed in World War I on October 4, 1918. He was from Solomons and American Legion Post 274 is named for him.
Members of the Post gathered at the cemetery where a service was led by Commander Jay Bolles and Chaplain Warren Kidwell. After the prayer, a wreath was placed by the grave by Carol Miller. Following the placement of the wreath, three rifle volleys were heard and then the playing of “Taps”.
Commander Bolles then read the biography of the post’s namesake, so those who were new to the post and area would know who Arick L Lore was. Following is the biography read by the Commander:
Our Post is name for Sgt. Arick L. Lore, who was born in Solomons, MD on October 1st, 1891. He was the oldest of nine children: seven brothers Arick, Preston, Francis, Osborne, Kenneth, Joseph Jr., and Rupert; and two sisters, Sarah and Anna. He loved baseball and was a member of the local team. He was also an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where on occasion he would fix pancakes for his younger brothers and sisters. On November 23, 1917, when he was 26, he was inducted into the U S Army at Camp Mead (now Fort Mead) Maryland. After boot camp at Camp Green, NC, he boarded the troop ship Maui at Hoboken NJ and arrived at St. Nazarene, France on April 29th, 1918. Lore served with Co. I, 60th Infantry Division at several locations in France, travelling sometimes by truck, but most times marching from point to point with full field pack and rifle.
On October 14th, 1918 (13 days after his 27th birthday and less than a month before the armistice was signed on November 11th) he was killed by sniper bullets in the front line trenches during the Battle of Verdun, one of the most decisive battles in ending the war. In the last entry of his diary, he wrote, “This has been an awful day. There have been quite a number wounded by shrapnel, but I have escaped so far. Thank God.” He was first buried at the American Battle Area Cemetery at Cunel, France. Later, his body was returned to his country. Last rites and honors were held in September, 1921 at Solomons Methodist Episcopal Church, where he was a member. He is buried in the Solomons Methodist Cemetery next to his mother, Sadie J. and his father, Joseph C. Graveside services are held there every Memorial Day by our Post 274 Commander, Chaplain, Sergeant-At-Arms, and any members who desire to attend. Survivors of the family regularly attend the ceremony.
Margit Miller / Calvert Beacon
