Across the nation, towns named Madison share a commitment to honoring veterans.
There are around two dozen towns in the United States, mostly east of the Mississippi River, named Madison; it is likely that at least a few were named in honor of Founding Father James Madison. The towns vary in size, history, etc., but a search of The American Legion’s online memorial database shows a number of war monuments and memorials. Among them:
City of Madison Veterans Memorial, Madison, Ala.: “Marble monument dedicated on Memorial Day 2017. Monument replaced older monument at same location that was in bad condition due to weather and age. Bears the names of individuals from the City of Madison, Ala., who perished in World Wars I & II, Korea, Vietnam and subsequent wars against terror (including Operations Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom).”
Madison Memorial Walk, Madison, Ga.: “paved with bricks listing the names of those who served.”
Madison Lake Veterans Area Memorial, Madison Lake, Minn.: “This memorial is approximately 30' by 30', with a base of poured concrete with a stamped, colored stone design. In the back half of the base are seven large locally quarried limestone rectangular blocks. The center main block is 8' long, 5' high and 2 ' thick; the sic-side stones are 5' long, 2' high and 2' thick. Each of these six side stones have centered on their front face a black granite circle with the insignia of the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Marines and Coast Guard. The center larger stone has the insignia of the American Legion with the statement: MADISON LAKE AREA VETERANS MEMORIAL DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF ALL WHO HONORABLY SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES GOD BLESS AMERICA 2015. Immediately behind the center stone are three lighted flagpoles bearing the United States of America flag, the POW flag and the Minnesota state flag. The sidewalk leading to the memorial includes inscribed pavers in honor or memory of loved ones.”
Madison Veterans Memorial, Madison, Pa.: “Small stone with metal plaque. Lighted at night with flagpole. Installed at unknown date by now defunct American Legion post. Non-specific memorial honoring all who served in America's wars.”
Gold Star Honor Roll at the Memorial Union, Madison, Wis.: “On Nov. 11, 2017, a memorial to UW-Madison’s fallen heroes' stories was unveiled at the … Wisconsin Union. The memorial includes the stories of more than 900 fallen servicemembers from the Civil War to more recent conflicts. In many cases the records within this memorial are far more than just names and dates; they include personal details about their lives, such as their hobbies. The stories are available online at uwgoldstarhonorroll.org and in-person at a kiosk outside of Memorial Hall in Memorial Union at 800 Langdon Street in Madison. This memorial at the Wisconsin Union expands frequently, as family members of fallen heroes reach out and share their loved ones’ stories with us.”
- Honor & Remembrance