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 100 memorials in 100 cities in 37
different states have been designated and will receive a matching
grant towards the restoration, conservation and maintenance of local
historical treasures. The program is sponsored by the US World War
One Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library
with support from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The 100 Cities/100 Memorials program was created to draw attention
to WWI memorials throughout the United States, and enable citizens
to take part in the WWI centennial commemoration. “More than 4
million American families sent their sons and daughters to serve in
uniform during World War I, 116,516 U.S. soldiers died in the war
and another 200,000 were wounded,” said Terry Hamby, commissioner of
the United States World War One Centennial Commission. “100
Cities/100 Memorials is a critically important initiative that will
have an impact beyond these grants. These memorials represent an
important part of remembering our past and preserving our culture.”
Located in historic downtown Elkhart, Veterans' Park is home to a
WWI Doughboy statue presented to the Village by the returning
veterans of World War I in honor of the men who did not return from
that war. Unlike most “Spirit of the American Doughboy” WWI memorial
figures, this statue depicts the Doughboy in the position of “Order
Arms” in which the rifle is held vertically next to the right leg
with the butt of the rifle resting on the ground. Plaques have been
added to the statue with the names of Village veterans from WWII,
the Korean War and all veterans killed in action from Elkhart during
past wars.
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 “To conserve and protect our
Doughboy, the park site and base of the statue is being replaced,”
says Lois Olson, President of Elkhart’s Need and Goals (NAG) group.
“Damaged by weather and time, the statue and plaques will be cleaned
for preservation purposes. The new construction in Veterans’ Park
will not destroy the historic statue or spatial relationship that
characterize the statue in the park, but will enhance it as the main
entrance. The restoration work is designed to be compatible with the
historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion of the
Doughboy statue.”
Janice Funk, NAG’s Project Manager for the park renovation project,
says, “Our vision is to improve the existing park to make it safe
and restore it to honor veterans, have a public space for
congregation, improve historic downtown Elkhart, and make the park
location our center for Veterans’ events, community festivals,
outdoor movies, potlucks and cultural events.” The project includes
making the park handicap accessible, updating the US flag
depository, landscaping, a reflective sitting wall and benches, and
installing electricity in the park. “Work has begun on the
renovations and should be completed by the end of the year. In-kind
donations, volunteer help, landscaping plants and monetary donations
are needed and appreciated,” says Peggy Lee, Village of Elkhart
Trustee. “Tax deductible donations can be made to the Veterans’ Park
Fund and sent to PO Box 20, Elkhart, IL 62634.”
[story provided by Margaret (Peggy) Lee, Trustee
Village of Elkhart]
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