This photo of Edgar was taken around 1918 by Lewis Reed.

Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11th, is a time to honor all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It is a day to reflect on the sacrifices made by these brave individuals and to express gratitude for their dedication to protecting our nation’s freedoms. This special tribute commemorates the dedication and contributions of Sergeant Edgar Reed, who served his nation with honor during World War I.

Military Service in World War I

The United States initiated a draft for World War I on September 28, 1917. On this day, the first 40 draftees from Montgomery County reported for duty at the Montgomery County Court House in Rockville, Maryland. Following speeches, dinner, and a parade, these recruits, including Rockville resident Edgar Reed, departed by train for Camp Meade, Maryland. Approximately 160 men from Rockville served in the eighteen-month war.

Edgar Reed enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Private on February 26, 1918, at the age of 27. At the time, he resided on Montgomery Avenue in Rockville and had been employed for eight years by R.W. Vinson, a Rockville druggist. His military career saw rapid advancement; he was promoted to Private First Class on April 27, 1918, and subsequently to Sergeant on February 14, 1919.

According to “Maryland Military Men, 1917-1918,” Edgar Reed served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from February 1918 to August 1919. During his service, he was posted to General Hospital No. 16 in New Haven, Connecticut, and later to General Hospital No. 11 in Cape May, New Jersey.

Edgar at Hotel Cape May, New Jersey. Photo by Lewis Reed, 1918

General Hospital No. 11, Cape May, New Jersey

The establishment of military hospitals during World War I often involved converting existing structures. The War Department, upon the recommendation of the Surgeon General, leased the Hotel Cape May in New Jersey for use as a general hospital on December 18, 1917. Initially designated as General Hospital No. 16, its name was changed to General Hospital No. 11 on March 14, 1918. This facility, located on Ocean Drive near the Atlantic Ocean, quartered enlisted personnel in tents behind the main building.

Post-War Life and Legacy

World War I officially concluded with an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 AM. Edgar Reed was transferred to the Demobilization Center at Camp Lee, Virginia, on August 4, 1919, and received an honorable discharge on August 6, 1919.

Edgar Reed and friends returning home on the train after the war ended wearing the World War I “Victory Medal” on their lapels. Photo taken by Lewis Reed.

After returning from the war, Edgar joined his brother, Lewis, in the automobile business and became an active member of the Henderson-Smith-Edmonds American Legion Post 86 in Rockville. Through this organization, he continued his commitment to service by supporting fellow veterans, participating in community events, and helping preserve the legacy of those who served. This engagement not only reinforced his personal sense of duty but also strengthened the ties between his family’s business and the local community.