| The Anderson-Claffey Post
109 of the American Legion was created in Two Harbors, named for the
city’s first casualty in World War I (Oscar Anderson) and World
War II (Charles Claffey).
Cook County
Despite its relatively small
population, the state’s northeasternmost county was active in
home-front efforts in both world wars.
On June 4, 1917, the Cook County
Public Safety Association was formed The group included members from
all organized communities in the county and had a mission of
supporting the war effort and ensuring public safety while many of
the county’s young men were fighting in the war.
By July 1917 a Red Cross circle was
formed in Grand Marais to make socks, bandages and other items
needed by soldiers and to raise money for material costs.
Cook County residents were among
those from timber-producing areas of Minnesota who joined a regiment
under the National Forestry Service and served in France during the
war as part of the American Engineers Reserve Corps.
An effort was begun in the county in
late 1917 to provide bats and balls for American servicemen in
France on recreation leave from front-line duties. Such items bound
for France had been lost earlier in a submarine attack.
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