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Bv John Toler Rappahannock News Staff Staff Writer
Veterans' Day came into being after World War I, in acknowledgment of the end of that conflict, which happened at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month —Nov. 11, 1918.
Like communities across America, Rappahannock sent its share of men to fight “The War to End All Wars” By the time America entered the war in April 1917, fierce fighting in western Europe awaited the U. S. troops who were sent there.
Many men from Rappahannock and neighboring counties enlisted or were drafted individually.
Among them was Pvt. Claybom Preston Rankin (18981967), father of Warrenton businessman and Korean War veteran Jim Rankin.
Only 19 when he enlisted in Company C, 2nd Virginia Infantry, Clay Rankin was to see heavy combat in France during World War I.
Called to serve
Company C was called into federal service in June 1916, and combined with Company D, of Front Royal. They then became part of the 116th Infantry, Virginia National Guard.
Soon afterward, the former militiamen were ordered to Brownsville, Tfexas, where they served guard duty on the
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