Sgt. Alvin C. York - Yes, Don't Want to Fight
/
Last Sunday, we were able to visit the Sgt. York State Park in Tennessee on our way back home from Georgia. Most people know the name Sgt. Alvin York or have seen the movie Sergeant York.; if you have not, you are in for a surprise.
Sgt. Alvin York was the most decorated soldier during World War I. He was born in the hills of Tennessee in the 1880's and he was a born again Christian and truly loved the Lord. When World War I began and he had to register for the draft and he was opposed to it.
Because of his faith in God, he and the other soldiers were kept safe. ~
On October 8, 1918, after being pinned down in an attempt to capture a narrow-gauge railroad, York took his fateful walk into history. As the company sharp-shooter, he and 16 other soldiers under the command of Acting Sergeant Bernard Early were given the unenviable task of silencing the machine guns that halted the advance the day before. It was a cold, wet morning. Rain mixed with sleet added to the gloom of the fog that draped the landscape. As the soldiers worked their way around the hill, the men on the left flank stood exposed in the creek bottom. German machine gunners opened fire, wounding or killing nine Americans, including York's best friend Murray Savage. York was on the right flank beneath the crest of the hill in a natural depression, which he used to kill nine of the men who operated the guns. In the meantime, his comrades opened fire on the Germans, and in a few minutes 25 were dead. The Germans surrendered to what they thought was a superior force, and York and the American survivors escorted 132 prisoners to American forces at Varennes some 10 miles away. Taken from the dairy of Sgt. York
The starting point for the tour is the General Store that Alvin ran with his family after the war. Here you will be able to watch a short video about the life of Alvin York after the war and see memorabilia pertaining to his life. The store also carries souvenirs and beautiful handmade goods from the locals.
The house and acreage was a gift to York after returning home from the war.
A lot of people, (I was one of them) do not know the legacy that Alvin York left. He worked hard for the people in his state. He wanted a better education for the children in his area, so he started the York Institute in 1926. When the school started out, York helped fund much of the school's needs. He did not believe in "cashing in" on his fame so he turned down much money because of this. The 1941 movie Sergeant York, had his stamp of approval.
Oh, yes, Alvin York also wet the site on his gun with his finger, just like in the movie. It was one of the questions my husband asked Andrew York (Alvin's son who was at the house giving tours the day we were there) said, "Absolutely, Dad always did that and he taught us to do it. It really works."
The York home is beautiful! It is like stepping back in time because everything in the house from the carpet, to the curtains, to the wall paper is all original. Pictures are still hanging in the original places.
There is a small but quite visible DO NOT TOUCH sign on the piano. Yes, I'm a rebel, so I hid the sign with the a hymn book! Actually, Mr. York told me if I could play, to play it; I told him I do and I would be honored to play the piano. So, I did! For a piano being 102 years old, it played beautifully! According to Mr. York, I am one of the few who get the privilege of playing his mother's piano. ~ What an honor!
I would love to try my hand at frying chicken on the stove top and baking biscuits in this oven. I did not get a picture of the refrigerator, but it is the same green color.
For my notebooking friends, here is a set of notebooking pages, I made to share with you all.
Sgt. Alvin York was the most decorated soldier during World War I. He was born in the hills of Tennessee in the 1880's and he was a born again Christian and truly loved the Lord. When World War I began and he had to register for the draft and he was opposed to it.
Sgt. York spent time in prayer regarding joining the Army at the "Yellow Doors"; cliffs overlooking the valley.
Because of his faith in God, he and the other soldiers were kept safe. ~
On October 8, 1918, after being pinned down in an attempt to capture a narrow-gauge railroad, York took his fateful walk into history. As the company sharp-shooter, he and 16 other soldiers under the command of Acting Sergeant Bernard Early were given the unenviable task of silencing the machine guns that halted the advance the day before. It was a cold, wet morning. Rain mixed with sleet added to the gloom of the fog that draped the landscape. As the soldiers worked their way around the hill, the men on the left flank stood exposed in the creek bottom. German machine gunners opened fire, wounding or killing nine Americans, including York's best friend Murray Savage. York was on the right flank beneath the crest of the hill in a natural depression, which he used to kill nine of the men who operated the guns. In the meantime, his comrades opened fire on the Germans, and in a few minutes 25 were dead. The Germans surrendered to what they thought was a superior force, and York and the American survivors escorted 132 prisoners to American forces at Varennes some 10 miles away. Taken from the dairy of Sgt. York
A copy of the commemorative stamp that was produced in York's honor. This copy was a large piece and it had the paperwork telling about the stamp.
Alvin's Draft Registration stating why he should be exempt from war ~
"Yes, don't want to fight."
He really struggled with the thought of having to go to war.
Sitting outside the general store.
The house and acreage was a gift to York after returning home from the war.
Alvin and Gracie York
A lot of people, (I was one of them) do not know the legacy that Alvin York left. He worked hard for the people in his state. He wanted a better education for the children in his area, so he started the York Institute in 1926. When the school started out, York helped fund much of the school's needs. He did not believe in "cashing in" on his fame so he turned down much money because of this. The 1941 movie Sergeant York, had his stamp of approval.
Oh, yes, Alvin York also wet the site on his gun with his finger, just like in the movie. It was one of the questions my husband asked Andrew York (Alvin's son who was at the house giving tours the day we were there) said, "Absolutely, Dad always did that and he taught us to do it. It really works."
The York home is beautiful! It is like stepping back in time because everything in the house from the carpet, to the curtains, to the wall paper is all original. Pictures are still hanging in the original places.
There is a small but quite visible DO NOT TOUCH sign on the piano. Yes, I'm a rebel, so I hid the sign with the a hymn book! Actually, Mr. York told me if I could play, to play it; I told him I do and I would be honored to play the piano. So, I did! For a piano being 102 years old, it played beautifully! According to Mr. York, I am one of the few who get the privilege of playing his mother's piano. ~ What an honor!
This is Alvin's hospital bed.
It is known as the Ferris Wheel hospital bed ~ quite modern for that time.
The fireplace mantle in the living room.
The family Bible was in a glass case. See the verse that is circled?
This bonnet belonged to Sgt. York's mother, Mary and the picture is from the 1920's.
Every bed had a beautiful chenille bedspread on it.
I loved the yo-yo mat across the pillows.
I would love to try my hand at frying chicken on the stove top and baking biscuits in this oven. I did not get a picture of the refrigerator, but it is the same green color.
The dining room was warm and inviting.
This is the spring the family got their water from before plumbing
was put in the house.
This is the church the York family attended and Alvin was saved here during a revival. Sgt. York is buried in the cemetery across the road from the church.
For my notebooking friends, here is a set of notebooking pages, I made to share with you all.
Sgt. Alvin York by Frog's Lilypad
