This mirnjng, we visited 4 monuments located in our district. At the Shrub Oak World War II Honor Roll located next to the John C Hart Memorial Library, there is one name that holds special meaning with the Mohegan FD. Sergeant Curtis Riker Darragh of the 31st Armored Division was killed on December 10, 1944 in Durin, Germany at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He was buried with full military honors at Henri Chapelle Military Cemetery in Belgium. What many people don’t know is that Sgt Darragh was a member of the Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association and a Shrub Oak resident when he lost his life in battle.

At a service held at our Fire Headquaters on Sunday November 12, 1950, the Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association dedicated a bronze plaque in his memory on our Fire Headquarters. The two children of the late Sergeant Darragh, June and Curtis, Jr., unveiled the plaque at services held that day at 2:30pm. New York State Assemblyman Theodore Hill, Jr., (one of our founding members in 1922) was on hand as a guest speaker. The plaque is permanently mounted on the front of the firehouse and is pictured below, as it stands today. While living in Shrub Oak, Sgt Darragh was active in the Boy Scouts under Scoutmaster Walter A. Panas, and was part of the Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association Band, under the direction of William H. Shine. We would like to thank the Yorktown Historical Society - NY for the above information located in their archives! May we never forget!