Arizona's broken World War I monument is just sad
By Laurie Roberts
via The Republic | azcentral.com web site
For years, it has stood there, forlorn and forgotten, just across from the monument to Confederate soldiers.
But while the Wesley Bolin Plaza memorial honoring Confederate soldiers has attracted plenty of attention, there’s been no outrage over the nearby tribute to the more than 4 million Americans who served in World War I.
World War I memorial was dedicated on Nov. 11, 1969, at Wesley Bolin Plaza. The plaque has been missing for at least nine years, and perhaps longer.(Photo: Laurie Roberts/The Republic)It was known as "the war to end all wars," but I can't say the same about Arizona’s memorial to mark it. There is nothing inspiring about it or even notable. And the plaque that once adorned this six-foot granite marker has been missing for years.
Memorial went missing years ago
Drop by to contemplate the 116,516 American soldiers who fought and died “over there” and all you’ll see are two holes where a bronze medallion was once mounted.
Laurie RobertsIt’s been that way for close to a decade, or perhaps longer.
There was talk in 2009 about fixing up the memorial and adding to it, but nothing came of it.
Now, with the 100-year anniversary of the war’s end coming next year, the state has decided that something needs to be done.
The Departments of Administration and Veterans Services have applied for a grant from the World War I Centennial Commission’s 100 Cities/100 Memorials project. The commission is offering up to $2,000 to repair World War I memorials.
DOA spokeswoman Megan Rose told me the state wants to replace the missing brass plaque. After doing some research, a DOA staffer found a replica of the plaque, which featured a poppy -- the flower that came to symbolize the war and remembrance.
We're aren't telling their story
It’s a good thing that the state is finally doing something. Or the beginning of a good thing, at least.
Read the entire article on The Republic | azcentral.com web site here.
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