Adams Memorials

ADAMS, Mass. — World War I looms heavy in Adams, where there are more monuments honoring veterans of that war than all other wars combined.   Of the numerous monuments, honor rolls and other memorials, eight are dedicated to World War I. The largest monument, the Mount Greylock War Memorial, looms above the town from the state's highest peak.   "They called it the Great War and they didn't know there was going to be a second one. ... They thought this was going to be it," local historian Eugene Michalenko said. "They knew they were doing something big and they wanted to remember it."    Approximately 140 Northern Berkshire residents were mustered into federal service as part of the 26th Yankee Division, 104th Infantry, many in Company M,and sent overseas in July 1917    Sixteen Adams boys were killed in the war – many from influenza.   The first memorial was dedicated on Nov. 27 in 1922 on Columbia Street. Seventeen elm trees were planted at the World War I Memorial Park representing the 15 men and 1 woman who died during the war. The 17th tree was dedicated to all surviving veterans.   Michalenko said all these trees died by the 1960s when Dutch elm disease ran rampant through the region.   "Unfortunately, I think Dutch elm killed them all," he said. "I think there was talk about planting new ones, but they never did it."   Granite plaques list the names of those who died.   That same day, three street intersections were dedicated to fallen soldiers.   According to Michalenko the intersection of Columbia and Hoosac Streets was dedicated to William Douglas, a boy from the Renfrew section of Adams who died Oct. 20, 1918.   The intersection of Summer, North Summer, Hoosac, and East Hoosac Streets was dedicated to Edward Wlodyka who died July 20, 1918, at the 2nd Battle of the Marne.   The intersection of Center, Commer...