Town of Clarkstown Rededicates Monument at Congers Station Park

Rockland Daily Staff

Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann and the ClarkstownTown Board rededicated the newly renovated Lt. Raymond B. Jauss monument last Friday.  

The memorial is located at Congers Station Park, adjacent to the railroad crossing at the center of town. The stone monument topped with a cannon now features an updated replica of Jauss' face as it had weathered over time since it was originally dedicated in 1936 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2607.

Lt. Jauss, a Congers resident, was killed in action in WWI. The original cannon monument was dedicated by the VFW Post 2607 in 1936. The Town unveiled two new plaques, a renovated monument, and a pedestal.

Attendees included Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, Councilman Michael Graziano, County Executive Ed Day, the VFW post, Clarkstown Police Honor Guard, and a local Boy Scout troop as well as residents and family.

"Today we rededicate this iconic Congers monument cognizant of the memory of sacrifice that it commemorates," Supervisor George Hoehmann stated during the rededication. "July 15th, 1918, exactly 105 years ago tomorrow, Lt. Raymond B. Jauss paid the ultimate sacrifice. May this newly restored monument that we rededicate stand the test of time. Let it continue to be a place of gathering as people pause to reflect on the true cost of freedom. Let it be a place of recommitment to high ideals and patriotic fervor. May it stand here for the next one hundred years or more and be a solemn reminder that a hero once walked these quiet, at the time, country streets; that a hero went off to war after marrying his childhood sweetheart and willingly gave his life in the cause of freedom."

“The Town of Clarkstown did a wonderful job rededicating the newly renovated Lt. Raymond Jauss Memorial at Congers Station Park,” County Executive Ed Day shares with Rockland Daily. “The monument is a must see for all of our residents as it is a stirring and emotional remembrance of a local hero from 100 years ago who made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield during World War I.”

On August 9th, 1918, by an act of Congress, President Wilson posthumously awarded Lt. Raymond B. Jauss the Distinguished Service Cross, which is the Second Highest Award bestowed upon United States Military personnel. The citation of the Distinguished Service Cross reads as follows, “The President of the United States of America, authorized by an Act of Congress, takes Pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (infantry) Raymond B. Jauss, United States Army for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces near Crezancy, France July 15th, 1918. After all, means of liaison had failed, Lieutenant Jauss carried important messages to his observation posts. He was killed by shell fire visiting one of his observation stations near Crezancy.” The French Government also honored Jauss by bestowing the Crux de Guere.

Photo Credit: Town of Clarkstown.