We spent about four hours this weekend doing research at the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library. We were looking for information about the Oyster Bay War Memorial in the microfiche files. It was fascinating to be back in the 1945 to 1951 era. In the Nov. 24, 1950 issue of the Oyster Bay Guardian, J. Russel Sprague, then Nassau County Executive, was proposing a joint committee to work out plans for making Sagamore Hill a national memorial to Theodore Roosevelt. Mr. Sprague was quoted as saying, "I have noted with considerable regret the long delay in the proposed development of Sagamore Hill as a national shrine," declared Mr. Sprague. 'I think that it is about time that a joint committee of interested public officials sits down to discuss plans which can be generally acceptable." He added, "The present obstacles can be overcome."

The town wanted to put in parallel parking and the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce wanted to retain some diagonal parking. The new parking lot on Summit Street was established.

It was a time the veterans were coming home from the war and the American Legion was signing up members in the hundreds. It was the American Legion that was involved with the young people of the community, running teen dances and organizing sports programs.

Into this background came Robert F. De Graff of Mill River Road who established the Oyster Bay War Memorial Committee that wanted to create a living memorial to fallen soldiers.

At the same time as funding for the living memorial was being raised, Ethel Derby was raising money with the help of the American Legion to revamp the Oyster Bay Public Library and dedicate it to Theodore Roosevelt Jr. where there are two bronze memorial plaques.

Oyster Bay remains the same over the years with lots to talk about and lots happening. That is part of what makes Oyster Bay such a vibrant community. - DFK