Super memorials

As Massachusetts and Washington state prepare for the big game, what history do their war memorials hold?

On Feb. 8, the New England Patriots (based outside Boston) and the Seattle Seahawks will play in Super Bowl LX. All the U.S. states are represented on The American Legion’s national memorial database, including Massachusetts (with 105) and Washington state (with 37). Among the most striking from each state:

Adams Free Library, Adams, Mass.: “President William McKinley laid the cornerstone of the building on Sept. 25, 1897, during his first visit to Adams as President of the United States. The Adams Free Library opened to the public on Jan. 2, 1899. With Washington, Lincoln and Grant named on the exterior, this Civil War memorial and library was also the meeting place for the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) veterans of George E. Sayles Post 126. A plaque dedicated to USS Maine, a relic of the Spanish-American War, is also located there.”

Lady Liberty, Holyoke, Mass.: “The Soldiers Monument ‘Female Liberty’ was formally dedicated on July 4, 1876. The monument, designed by H.G. Ellicott of Virginia, is a memorial to the 55 citizens from Holyoke who died during the Civil War. The monument resides in Veterans Park near the center of Holyoke. Standing above the granite base is the figure of Lady Liberty holding both a shield and a wreath. The front Inscription reads: In Memory of Our Volunteers Who Died For The Union 1861-1865. The granite base is adorned with four bronze relief plaques. These plaques are the highlight of the monument. The monument was provided by the city of Holyoke at a cost of $10,000. Its dedication was July 4, 1876.”

Serviceman's Memorial Pool, Magazine Beach, Cambridge, Mass.: “(A) bronze plaque (with) lists of names; Gold Star WWII memorial listing the Cambridge Ward #5 servicemen who ‘Made the Supreme Sacrifice in World War II.’”

Veteran Courage, Dartmouth, Mass.: “Dedicated to veterans of all wars.”

Argonne Bridge World War I Memorial, Millwood, Wash.: “The Argonne Bridge was built in 1920 and is a concrete arch bridge over the Spokane River on Argonne Road in Millwood. Argonne Road is named after the Argonne Forest in France, and the bridge at the river was built and named in honor of the Spokane local boys who fought and died in the Battle of the Argonne Forest during late September 1918 in World War I. Ninety-nine years ago, hundreds gathered in Millwood to dedicate Argonne Road and Argonne Bridge to the memory of those local soldiers. In 1970, the bridge was repaired and all traces of the memorials were lost. On 11/11/2019, down the street from the bridge at the intersection of Argonne and Empire, they erected a monument that says ‘World War I Memorial.’ Atop the sign is an original ‘doughboy’ helmet worn by a soldier in World War I. The nonprofit was able to find one of the original plaques – it was in the office of an engineer. That plaque is featured prominently on the new memorial, on either side the logos for the DAR and The American Legion. One plaque they could not locate was the one that had the names of all of the fallen soldiers. The DAR said it was imperative the new memorial include their names so they will never be forgotten. They had a new plaque made, and it sits right in the middle of the memorial. A beautiful garden was planted right behind the memorial. It is filled with poppies, the flower most commonly associated with World War I.”

Chinese American Soldier Memorial, Seattle: “Dedicated to the American soldiers of Chinese ancestry in the Seattle vicinity who died in service to their country during World War II 1941-1945.”

Lost at Sea Memorial, Renton, Wash.: “For Those Souls Lost At Sea In Our Conflicts To Gain World Peace.”

Winged Victory Monument, Olympia, Wash.: “In a solemn and patriotic ceremony on the capitol grounds on May 30, 1938, the Winged Victory Monument was dedicated to the memory of World War I veterans. The sculpture was unveiled by two Gold Star mothers, Mrs. Charles V. Leach and Mrs. Cordelia Cater, after whose sons the Olympia posts of The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars were named. The dedication address was presented by Stephen F. Chadwick, national chairman of the Legion's Americanism Committee. The bronze sculpture features a 12-foot-tall figure of Winged Victory surrounded by the figures of a soldier, a sailor, a marine and a Red Cross Nurse. Inscriptions: East face: WA State Seal, 'To the memory of the citizens of the State of Washington who lost their lives in the service of the United States during the World War 1917 – 1918.’ North face: 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.' West face: 'Their sacrifice was to vindicate the principles of peace and justice in the life of the world.' South face: 'They fought to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy.’”