World War I Museum Rededicated in Omaha

[gwb123]

Last week on Veteran's Day, there was a small ceremony on the corner of a busy street intersection in Midtown Omaha.

 

At the center of it was a memorial stone, surrounded by a protective wall and arch. If you are driving past it, you might just assume

it is marking the entrance to Turner Park, a green space recently rennovated along with a large urban complex.

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The focus of the attention was World War One Veteran's Memorial, erected by the Omaha Chapter of the American War Mothers in 1937.

 

Original fundraising began in 1926, but the full amount was never gathered by the AMV. The monument was finally completed by the WPA.

 

http://www.publicartomaha.org/art/info/167...eran%20Memorial

 

The American War Mothers are still in existance today, continuing the mission they started in 1917 to honor the fallen.

 

http://americanwarmoms.org/awm/index.php?o...4&Itemid=57

[gwb123]

Time of course takes its toll on all things...last restored in 1994, the monument was showing the wear and tear of many Nebraska winters.

 

The monument was restored as a public service by members of McGill Restoration, Inc. With master craftsmanship, they put it back together using period materials.

 

Standing next to Mayor Jim Suttle are members of the restoration crew.

 

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/World_W...rySection=story

 

http://midtowncrossing.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?ID=71

[gwb123]

Adding dignity to the ceremony were members of Omaha's South High School JROTC.

[gwb123]

Also addressing the crowd of about 50 or so who had gathered was Brigadier General Judd Lyons is Adjutant General of the Nebraska National Guard.

 

According to station KIOS:

 

"He says the memorial is a reminder of the service of Nebraska veterans in all wars. He says more than 5,000 Nebraska National Guard soldiers served in WW1. "Today, service men and women from Nebraska serve in all branches of the military in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and numerous other locations. The face of the enemy changes, battlefield locations vary, but the willingness of Nebraskans to serve has never wavered.""

 

He also noted that Nebraska soldiers were some of the first to be deployed during WWI, many of them only recently returned home from service on the Mexican border.

[gwb123]

Our last WWI veterans are gone.

 

As one of the Parks and Recreation officials told me: "It is now up to us who are here today to keep the memory."

 

Veterans of other wars were present, and more than ready to explain why the memorial was still important today.

[The Meatcan]

Gil, thanks for posting that. It's a great looking monument memorial. Hats off to the restoration crew for doing a fine job. The rededication ceremony looked cool too. Very well done all the way around. Good job, Omaha!

Terry

[gwb123]

There were other, larger memorial ceremonies in Omaha that day. But somehow this one was special, even if it was modest.

 

It is a simple monument, but the symbolism is there. The wall and the arch, stretching behind the stone to provide protection... the same as the American War Mothers would stretch their arms to protect the loved ones they lost, if only they could.

 

At the top of the arch are three stars... Blue for the living veterans, Silver for the wounded and disabled, and Gold for those who did not come home.

 

It was only a half hour ceremony for a small memorial. But driving past that corner will never be the same for me again.