Preserving the Stories of Rye’s Veterans
“Not Just a Name on a Wall”
For more than fifteen years, RyeVets has been dedicated to preserving the history of the men and women from Rye, New York, who answered their country’s call to service.
What began as an effort to record the names on the City’s memorials has grown into a comprehensive digital archive containing more than 2,100 individual biographies spanning World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the modern era.
Our Mission
RyeVets exists to ensure that the veterans of Rye are remembered as more than names engraved on a monument.
Every veteran had a story. They were students, athletes, sons and daughters, business owners, teachers, neighbors, and community leaders. Through military records, photographs, newspapers, yearbooks, and family contributions, RyeVets preserves those stories for future generations.
How RyeVets Began
The original project began in 2011 as RyeWW2.org with the goal of documenting every World War II veteran listed on the Rye City Hall memorial.
As the research progressed, it became clear that the same effort should be expanded to include all generations of service. In 2020, the project was renamed RyeVets.org and expanded to include veterans from World War I, Korea, Vietnam, and the post-Vietnam era.
Today, RyeVets represents one of the most comprehensive community veteran archives of its kind in the United States.
What Has Been Accomplished
World War I
• Created a database of more than 300 Rye veterans
• Located military records, census information, photographs, and newspaper articles
• Created individual pages for identified veterans
• Documented the men who made the ultimate sacrifice
World War II
• Created a database of 1,449 veterans listed on the Rye City Hall memorial
• Identified branches of service, enlistment records, and biographical details
• Researched thousands of Rye Chronicle articles
• Added hundreds of yearbook photographs and historical images
• Created educational opportunities allowing Rye High School students to participate in historical research
Korea
• Created a database of more than 200 Korean War veterans
• Located photographs, military information, and local newspaper coverage
• Worked with Rye High School students to produce biographies
Vietnam
• Created a database of more than 200 Vietnam veterans
• Added photographs and historical records
• Continued development of individual veteran pages
The Work Continues
Although thousands of records have been preserved, the project is far from complete.
Many veterans still need photographs, discharge records, family stories, and personal memories that only the community can provide.
Volunteers can help by researching veterans, writing biographies, locating photographs, or sharing family records.
A Community Effort
RyeVets has always been a partnership between the Rye Historical Society, American Legion Post 128, Rye High School, Rye Middle School, local volunteers, and the families of Rye veterans.
The project belongs to the community it serves.
Help Us Preserve Their Legacy
They served their country.
They returned home and built a community.
They were Rye.
Interested in helping? Visit the Support Our Veterans section to learn how you can contribute.
