One hundred years ago this week, the community of Deerfield bid farewell to some of its favorite sons who left to join Uncle Sam’s Army and put an end to World War I. The adieu included an open air dance with live music from the Deerfield Orchestra on the evening of August 2, 1917. The next morning the soldier boys of Deerfield Company F, led by Lt. Roy Thornbrough, met on Main Street Deerfield where “Rev. Gibbons of Lakin, made a very appropriate and fitting talk, in farewell to the boys.” A few more good-byes were spoken by friends and families, and then 10 of Deerfield’s finest citizens drove the boys to Larned where a reception was given to them upon their arrival.
