American Legion Prince of Wales Post 26 builds memorial

American Legion Prince of Wales Post 26 builds memorial

Post 26 took a mission to build a veterans memorial because there was none on the island. Paul Dawson, charter commander, came up with the idea to do a Bob Hope USO Show to fund the memorial. In addition to tickets sales, Gold Star pavers were sold to businesses for $500. $9,000 was raised to fund the memorial. The location of the memorial took nine months of vetting with the City of Craig for an appropriate site. It was built next to the city cemetery beside a popular walking trail and is seen by many citizens every day.

On the base of the bench are the five service crests and on the top of the bench is inscribed "THE NATION THAT FORGETS ITS DEFENDERS WILL ITSELF BE FORGOTTEN."

The Prince of Wales Veterans Memorial was built by the citizens of the island without any grants or off-island support.

Post 26 continues to do the Bob Hope Show to raise funds to support the troops and a scholarship for a local student with the Liberty Scholarship.