War: World War I
Parent/Wife: Daughter of Dr. J.W. and Cassie Peck Rockwell
City: Grand Rapids
Birth Date: 17 Jun 1893 Melrose, Jackson County, Wisconsin, USA
Death Date: 20 Sep 1918 (aged 25) Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA
How Died: Dod
Where Died: Chelsa, MA
Where Buried: Oakhill Cemetery Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA
Rank: Red Cross Nurse
Branch: Army
Kia=Killed in Action
Dow=Died of Wounds
Dod=Died of Disease
Mia=Missing in Action
Vera Rockwell
Vera was a well known girl in the Wood County area, who was best known for her work as a Red Cross nurse, working as the supervisor of the anti-tubercular Clinic. She died in Chelsea, Mass of Pneumonia and was given a military funeral. The funeral was held at the Berton Spring chapel. Rockwell was the first woman to die in service on World War I from Grand Rapids. She was a graduate of the Grand Rapids High School, and from there went to Milwaukee Downer College and then to the University of Michigan to get her degree to become a nurse.
"As truly as our soldiers on the battlefield give up their own lives that others may live, so she also made the great sacrifice." said Rev. C.O. Grieshaber, of the Red Cross Motor Corps. Unfortunately she had no living relatives, but her closest friend in Grand Rapids, was Mrs. Edith West, with whom she shared a residence.
"A soldier who never used a rifle, went to her grave yesterday, not quietly, as she might have gone in times of peace, but fittingly, with a salute of guns and full military honors." This was a sudden and tragic ending for a life full of usefull promise.
Courtney Shearier, Student
East Junior High, Wisconsin Rapids
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World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War and the War to End All Wars, took place from 1914 to 1918. World War I became a global military conflict which involved the majority of the world's great powers.
When the war began in 1914, the United States wanted to stay neutral and not get involved in what they viewed as a European conflict. However, in 1917, the United States did enter into World War I because of several events that occurred. One event was when the U.S. ship The Lusitania sank and over 120 people were killed. The other event that prompted the United States to become involved occurred when the ship The Sussex was sunk by a German U-boat.
A woman by the name of Vera Rockwell, whose father was Dr. J.W. Rockwell, lived in the Wood County area. She graduated from the Grand Rapids High School. After high school, Vera went to the University of Milwaukee-Downer College. She then went to the University of Michigan School for Nurses. Vera became well known for her work as a Red Cross nurse, working as the supervisor of the anti-tubercular Clinic.
Vera Rockwell did not fight on the front lines instead she helped save lives while working as a Red Cross nurse. She worked day and night saving lives. The medical technology could not compare to the military technology. However, Vera and all the other nurses never gave up. The field hospitals consistently had too many patients and there weren't enough nurses to treat everyone. No matter how bad the conditions, Vera and other women wouldn't stop because if they did men would have been dying left and right. Not only did nurses help heal the wounded, but some women entertained troops with song, dance, lectures, dramatic readings, and poetry. They also went and searched for supplies to help the soldiers. Life wasn't easy but Vera and others kept trying.
"A soldier, who never used a rifle, went to her grave yesterday, not quietly, as she might have gone in times of peace, but fittingly, with a salute of guns and full military honors." Vera Rockwell became the first woman from Grand Rapids to die while in active military duty.
Vera Rockwell died at Chelsea, Mass., of pneumonia. She died on 1-Sep-18. Vera had no living relatives, but her closest friend Mrs. Edith West, sat with her in Chelsea at the time of her death. Vera received a full military funeral. The funeral took place at the Berton Spring chapel. Vera died a hero and will always remain one.
During this time, the United States need Heroes, and Vera showed she had the necessary determination to become one. She devoted herself to saving the lives of others. The United States remains forever grateful to the men and women that served during World War I. Vera Rockwell will always be a hero to the United States and all the men whose lives she saved.
By Megan Rasmussen
East Junior High School
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