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Monuments & Memorials

"The centennial of World War One offers an opportunity for people in the United States
to learn about and commemorate the sacrifices of their predecessors."

from The World War One Centennial Commission Act, January 14, 2013

DCWorldWarMonumen 1World War One was a watershed in American history. The United States' decision to join the battle in 1917 "to make the world safe for democracy" proved pivotal in securing allied victory — a victory that would usher in the American Century.

In the war's aftermath, individuals, towns, cities, counties, and states all felt compelled to mark the war, as did colleges, businesses, clubs, associations, veterans groups, and houses of worship. Thousands of memorials—from simple honor rolls, to Doughboy sculptures, to grandiose architectural ensembles—were erected throughout the US in the 1920s and 1930s, blanketing the American landscape.

Each of these memorials, regardless of size or expense, has a story. But sadly, as we enter the war's centennial period, these memorials and their very purpose—to honor in perpetuity the more than four million Americans who served in the war and the more than 116,000 who were killed—have largely been forgotten. And while many memorials are carefully tended, others have fallen into disrepair through neglect, vandalism, or theft. Some have been destroyed. Watch this CBS news video on the plight of these monuments.

The extant memorials are our most salient material links in the US to the war. They afford a vital window onto the conflict, its participants, and those determined to remember them. Rediscovering the memorials and the stories they tell will contribute to their physical and cultural rehabilitation—a fitting commemoration of the war and the sacrifices it entailed.

Memorial Hunters Club

We are building a US WW1 Memorial register through a program called the Memorials Hunters Club. If you locate a memorial that is not on the map we invite you to upload your treasure to be permanently archived in the national register.  You can include your choice of your real name, nickname or team name as the explorers who added that memorial to the register. We even have room for a selfie! Check the map, and if you don't see the your memorial CLICK THE LINK TO ADD IT.

100 Cities - 100 Memorials

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  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Christopher Rzasa
253 Main Street
06401 Ansonia
CT
USA

This memorial, dedicated in 1999, consists of three granite stones listing the names of all those who served from Ansonia, separated by each major conflict from World War I through the Vietnam War on a black granite plaque in the center of the stones.  The middle stone has a dedication that says "Lest We Forget"; underneath that it says "This memorial is dedicated by the grateful citizens of the city of Ansonia to preserve and honor the memory of all those brave men and women who served our country so selflessly in time of conflict."

  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Robert Shay, PH3, USNR-R, 1964-70
700 North Poplar St.
98926 Ellensburg
WA
USA

Veterans’ Memorial Park in Ellensburg was the vision of Post Commander Gene Ketzwnberg and members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 683.

The memorial's marble walls, a statue and plaques depicting the seals of each branch of service, paver stone bricks in and around the memorial are dedicated to veterans from all wars of the Republic and were funded by family members, local businesses and community members in general.

"This memorial is an opportunity for all citizens to take part and stand up and show their pride for years to come," 

  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Robert Shay, PH3, USNR-R, 1964-70
Main Street N. & 2nd Avenue. NE
55936 Grand Meadow
MN
USA

This park project was conceived and carried out by volunteers and members of the Harry T.
Anderson Post No.140 of the American Legion.
The memorial is shaped like an octagon of benches with two open sides. In the center of the
octagon is a star and in the center of the star is a large flag pole. The flag pole was donated
by a Legion member who recently died. Benches were chosen because Post Commander Leland
Ottman said legion members wanted the memorial to be something that could be used by the
community. The project in part is funded through the sale of memorial pavers sold through out
Mower county to honor local veterans.
There is room for the project to continue to grow and change in the future. While the initial goal
was to sell about 200 pavers, there’s room to expand beyond that to keep adding pavers and
funds to cover the perpetual care of the Park. The pavers are a way to honor a family member
or friend. 141 pavers were in place at the parks dedication on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2010.

American Legion Post 140 is named in memory of Pvt. HARRY THERON ANDERSON, U.S. Army
Born May 31, 1895, Clayton Township, Elkton, Minn. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Arne Anderson, Grand Meadow.
Previous military training, Agricultural School, St. Paul. Occupation, farming. Residence, Grand Meadow.
Entered service May 26, 1918, at Austin. Assigned to Co. M, 308 Reg. 77th Div. Trained at Camp Lewis
and Camp Kearney. Embarked from Brooklyn Navy Yards, Aug. 9, 1918, and arrived at Birkenhead, England,
Aug. 21. Went into active service in September, in the Argonne. Wounded Oct. 14, 1918. Under medical
care three weeks at Base Hospital No. 27, Angers, Maine-et-Loire, France. Died of wounds.

  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Robert Shay, PH3, USNR-R, 1964-70
600 North 4th Street (SR20)
55009 Cannon Falls
MN
USA

Situated across State Highway 20 from Riverside Park, between River Road and
State St. W. Visitors may view the confluence of the Cannon River with the Little
Cannon. Built with the goal of acknowledging the sacrifice of area veterans and beautifying
the walking path.

Using local materials, the park’s design includes engraved tribute pavers as well
as brass plaques to memorialize and honor veterans from all branches of the military.
Granite reflection benches are available and emblems of the Army, Navy, Marines,
Air Force, and Coast Guard are displayed. In the center, a bronze eagle is flanked by
the American flag, the Minnesota State flag, and a POW flag.

The site is accessible by foot, bike, or car and is highly visible from the main road to
downtown Cannon Falls.

  • The City of Dixon, Illinois, under the direction of the Veterans Memorial Park Commission
  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Robert Shay, PH3, USNR-R, 1964-70
Veterans Memorial Park
61021 Dixon
IL
USA

The primary mission of the park is to make sure that future generations understand the true cost of maintaining our Freedom and the Liberty for which so many American Servicemen and Women “…gave their last full measure of devotion…”. To the 650,000 American who have died in combat since the Revolutionary War, as well as the 310,000 who have died during time of war from disease or accident, and the 210,000 who have died in training or while serving in non-combat areas, we give our deepest and most sincere thanks. Their sacrifice over these past 243 years has given our nation, the world’s beacon of freedom, a promising future.

When building the Veterans Memorial Park, the Parks Commission hoped that the different organizations would hold their ceremonies at the newly constructed facility. To our pleasure, more and more events are being held at the park.

The park has been host to memorials for military veterans who have passed away, Memorial Day services, Veterans Day services, Flag Day Services and the Viet Now annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony to bring attention to the plight of families of service members who remain Missing In Action or are otherwise unaccounted for.

Plans are being made to provide amiable parking for the visitors who attend these ceremonies.

  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Robert Shay, PH3, USNR-R, 1964-70
Texas Drive
78633 Georgetown
TX
USA
  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Robert Shay, PH3, USNR-R, 1964-70
50 Sibley St.
55033 Hastings
MN
USA

Plaque and Wall can be reached from Sibley Street near 1st Street, Facing North, on the
left side of the street. The Memorials are below the patio at Nelson - Lucking American
Legion Post 47. Privates George J. Lucking and William G.E. Nelson Made The Ultimate
Sacrifice in World War 1. Both the Marker and Memorial Wall are located on the River Walk
Just below the A.L. Post at 50 Sibley Street, Hastings MN 55033.

  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Robert Shay, PH3, USNR-R, 1964-70
9th Street at Edison Avenue
98944 Sunnyside
WA
USA
  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Robert Shay, PH3, USNR-R, 1964-70
Veterans Memorial Drive SW
52404 Cedar Rapids
IA
USA

Original Dedication: May 25, 1992

Rededicated on November 9, 2002

The Veterans Memorial stadium and park exhibits an airplane, tank, mobile artillery cannon, ships anchor,
benches and black granite monuments dedicated to the wars our citizens
have served in as well as a victory wall proudly displaying the service
emblems of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard etched
in black granite. An engraved brick paver program began to honor local
veterans. These brick are a border for the Monument’s sidewalk.

  • Dedication Date: 1926
  • Frank Manson

This Veterans Memorial was a gift to the City from the Red Bank Volunteer Fire Department. It commemorates those who served in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War & World War I, and was dedicated on Memorial Day 1926 before a crowd of 300 people.  The keynote address was given by Commander Walter E. Decker of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. 

The three full-length figures of soldiers stand atop a tiered granite base.  In the center, on the highest level of the base, is a portrait of Henry M. Nevius.  He wears a Civil War uniform including a long coat and hat. In his hands, he holds an American flag which is draped over a flagpole.

On his right is a figure of an unknown Spanish-American War soldier.  He is dressed in uniform and holds a rifle in his right hand. The butt of the gun rests on the ground.  His left hand is held up toward the center figure.

The third figure stands on a pedestal to Nevius' left at the same height as the Spanish-American War figure. This is a portrait of Major Peter P. Rafferty.  He wears a World War I uniform and holds the barrel of a rifle in his left hand.  The butt of the gun rests on the ground.  Nevius & Rafferty were Red Bank veterans.

Three bronze plaques are attached to the front of the monument, each with a bas-relief eagle at the top.

Narrative adapted from Smithsonian Institution Research Information Service (SIRIS) inventory # NJ000611. 

Photo courtesy of:  Smithsonian Institution Research Information System (SIRIS)

Columbus and Main Sts.
39339 Louisville
MS
USA

This marble sculpiurc by an unknown artist was dedicated in June of 1921. It has tributes to ihe "Spanish American Heroes 1898." the veterans of ihe Civil War. and is also inscribed:

"In memory of the brave sons of Winston, who so bravely were willing to make the supreme sacrifice for the great principles for which the United States entered into the Great World War in 1917. May the memory of their chivalry and patriotism handed down from father to son be perpetuated for generations yet unborn."

  • Width: 5 ft.
  • NJ 000283

The Allendale memorial consists of a bronze eagle with outstretched wings perched on a sphere atop a tall granite shaft. The shaft has  commemorative plaques on the front, and incised decorations including a US star near the top & a wreath near the bottom.

The plaque is inscribed with the names of residents of Allendale who died in World War I.  Subsequent plaques memorialize those killed in World War II & the Vietnam War.

Narrative adapted from Smithsonian Institution Research Information System (SIRIS) inventory #NJ000283. 

Photos courtesy of:  Bill Coughlin & Historical Marker Database

High & Linwood Avenues
07630 Emerson
NJ
USA

The Emerson monument consists of a tree-shaded, rusticated stone slab with a bronze honor roll plaque. The honor roll lists citizens of Emerson who served in the military during World War I.

Photo courtesy of: Michael Herrick & Historical Marker Database

  • Dedication Date: 1922
Broadway & Park Avenue
07642 Hillsdale
NJ
USA

The Hillsdale, NJ monument consists of a rusticated granite arched slab sitting atop a granite base.  A bronze eagle is perched atop the slab; a bronze plaque on the front contains an honor roll of Hillsdale residents who served in World War I. 

Two angled stone slabs with smaller plaques are placed in front of the monument honoring those who participated in later wars.

Photo courtesy of: Michael Herrick & Historical Marker Database

across from 129 Atlantic Street
06901 Stamford
CT
USA

A life-sized bronze statue of a soldier stands on a multi-stage granite base with four large upright rectangular slabs standing on the edge of a stone-paved circular plaza.  On the base is an incised image of a flame burning in a lamp dish.  It is inscribed: “Lest we forget. Within this pedestal is placed a time capsule recording for all time those residents of Stamford who responded to the call, some giving their lives, while serving in our past wars. In future wars, should we be called again, the people of Stamford pledge to preserve and perpetuate this expression of gratitude for such sacrifice.” On two of the slabs are bas-relief carvings: "Freedom from Want" showing two life-sized women, above a dedication reading, “To those who gave their lives in our country’s wars. They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn in the glory of their youth. We will remember them. Erected by the citizens of Stamford, Connecticut”, and "Freedom from Fear" with a woman and a young boy (see pictures gallery).

Near 2122 O Day Rd
46818 Fort Wayne
IN
USA
  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Robert Shay, PH3, USNR-R, 1964-70
21294 Route 138
62069 Mount Olive
IL
USA

“DEDICATED TO ALL VETERANS OF THE MT. OLIVE AREA”

“TO THE GALLANT MEN AND WOMEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
WITH HONOR WHILE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”

“WE SHALL NOT FORGET”

This monument lists the names of 42 area resident who gave their lives in
service to this country from World War1 through the War On Terror.
The Memorial Monument is located in front of the Mt. Olive area VFW's
Post Home.

  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Robert Shay, PH3, USNR-R, 1964-70
SE Corner of S. Pacific Ave. & Oak St.
98626 Kelso
WA
USA

This land was donated to the City of Kelso by Seattle 1st National Bank,
for a park, on August 28, 1972 and the Soldiers Memorial was installed
by members of VFW Post 3017 in 1993.

  • Memorial Hunters Club Submission: Frank Arnemann
Near intersection of Bonnabel Blvd. and Veterans Memorial Blvd.
70005 Metairie
LA
USA

Veterans of World War I Memorial. Memorial erected by Jefferson Barracks.

7800-, 7898 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
20814 Bethesda
MD
USA

Located here is a monument to the local citizens who served in WWI, WWII, Korean, and Vietnam Wars.