The Passamaquoddy Tribe sent 25 men to fight in World War I, some of whom served in the Yankee Division Company I, says Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Donald Soctomah. However, because the Passamaquoddy were not considered United States citizens until 1924, the Company I veterans who were wounded or died in action never received recognition for their service. On Sunday, July 17, that will change.
     Soctomah was approached by the film division of the Smithsonian Institution about the company. While involved in research on an upcoming film, the organization found that a number of Company I recruits came out of the Eastport area. "A lot of Company I members were made up of Passamaquoddy," he says. "They [Smithsonian] wanted to interview family members about their veteran forebears." Three family members of three veterans were found: Genevieve Neptune, John Stevens and John Sockbeson, who are being interviewed by the Smithsonian about their WWI veteran relatives.
     Because of the light being shed on the Passamaquoddy contribution to WWI, a wrong is being righted. The Indian Township tribal government and the Smithsonian Film Network have partnered to recognize six Passamaquoddy WWI veterans who were wounded or died in the war with a Silver Star Medal from the U.S. Bureau of Veterans Services. Following the noontime Grand Entry of the Indian Day celebration at Indian Township held on Sunday, July 17, the medals will be presented to each veteran's family. The tribe asks that the veterans' extended families come because of the high honor bestowed with the medals. After the military presentation, Indian Township Chief William Nicholas Sr. will present family next of kin with painted eagle feathers, one of the highest honors a tribal member can receive.
     The veterans being honored posthumously are: Samuel Dana, age 24, enlisted 1917, Company I, 103rd Infantry, wounded; George Stevens Sr., age 22, enlisted 1917, Company I, 103rd Infantry, wounded; Henry Sockbeson, age 28, enlisted 1917, Company I, 103rd Infantry, wounded; David Sopiel, enlisted 1917, Company I, 103rd Infantry, wounded; Charles Lola, age 22, enlisted 1917, Company I, 103rd Infantry, killed in battle and posthumously received the Croix de Guerre of France for remarkable courage and tenacity in defending an advance post until he was killed; and Moses Neptune, age 19, enlisted 1917, Company I, 103rd Infantry, killed in the Argonne in 1918, the last U.S. serviceman killed in WWI before the armistice was signed.
     Soctomah notes that one of the factors that led the Smithsonian crew to the Passamaquoddy were caves in France within rock quarries where Company I and others were stationed during battle. Inscriptions on the cave walls told a larger untold story of Passamaquoddy involvement that will be highlighted in the film.
     On July 17 they will given their country's long due recognition. The event, "Honoring Ceremony for Six Passamaquoddy World War I Veterans Who Were Wounded or Died during this War," is open to the public and will be held in front of the Indian Township tribal office. The Grand Entry will include veterans, the tribal chief, vice chief, tribal council and dancers.