Veteran's Memorial, (sculpture)

Object Details

design firm

Matthews International

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Virginia survey, 1995.

Image on file.

(Five plaques on the sides of the central column bear 149 names of those killed in action.) (On plaque on outer marker:) IN MEMORY OF/ALL WORLD WAR I VETERANS/It was known as the Great War...the war to end all wars/We went "over there" to the songs and cheers of our countrymen, and marched right into the grim/reality of twentieth century warfare. Poison gas, machine guns, tanks, aircraft and submarines were/devastating innovations. We fought in trenches, on the sea and in the air./We helped make the world safe for democracy...but it was only the beginning.

(On plaque on outer marker:) IN MEMORY OF/ALL WORLD WAR II VETERANS/This memorial is in honor of all of the World War II veterans who were involved in the fight for the/freedom of America and the free world./Whether they fought in the Pacific or European theater, they faced a resolute and often brutal enemy;/yet they possessed the inner strength and courage that kept them going on the beaches at Normandy,/in the deserts of North Africa and on the islands of the South Pacific./The actions of those who were called to duty were probably best described by the words of Admiral/Nimitz: "Uncommon valor was a common virtue."

(On plaque on outer marker:) IN MEMORY OF/ALL KOREAN WAR VETERANS/They told us, "We are going to have peace even if we have to fight for it." So we fought in the/mountains on Heartbreak Ridge and waded ashore at Inchon./We froze in the winter and baked in the summer sun./At times, we were greatly outnumbered; but we still fought on and many of us gave our lives for/Freedom...for Justice...and for Peace.

(On plaque on outer marker:) IN MEMORY OF/ALL VIETNAM VETERANS/This memorial was erected in memory of the young individuals who went to war as kids and lost their/youthful dreams, and some their lives, for a cause - freedom and honor - and came back as men with the/horrors of war instilled in every fiber of their being and were never given the respect and honor they so/dearly deserved from the public or United States government./God will one day judge our actions. Until then, He will shine on the lives of each veteran now and forever/more because He was with each of them in Vietnam. He is the only One that truly knows what they went/through and are living with every day.

(On plaque on outer marker:) IN MEMORY OF/ALL PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS/"There is no one more devoted, more committed to the hard work of freedom, than every Soldier/and Sailor, every Marine, Airman and Coast Guardsman - every man and woman now serving in the/Persian Gulf."/ -President George Bush

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Summary

Installation consisting of five low rectangular black granite markers positioned concentrically around a central 5-sided black granite shaft. The shaft is surmounted by a bronze eagle. The eagle's talons hold onto a branch; its wings are uplifted and its beak is open. On the outer side of each of the low markers is a bas-relief bronze seal representing each branch of the military. On the inner side of each marker is a bas-relief bronze plaque representing scenes from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. All of the reliefs depict soldiers in battle with military aircraft and background terrain specific to each war.

Dedicated May 25, 1992

Control number

IAS VA000503

Type

Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture

Sculptures-Relief

Sculptures

Medium

Sculpture: bronze; Base: black granite

Owner/Location

Shenandoah Memorial Park 522 South Paper Mill Road Winchester Virginia 22602

Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums

Topic

History--United States--World War I

History--United States--World War II

History--United States--Korean War

History--United States--Vietnam War

History--United States--Persian Gulf War

State of Being--Evil--War

Emblem--Military Insignia

Figure group--Male

Occupation--Military--Soldier

Dress--Uniform--Military Uniform

Architecture--Vehicle--Airplane

Animal--Bird--Eagle

Record ID

siris_ari_336795

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