VietNow National Magazine

Less-Than-Famous War Memorials
Small-Town War Memorials

By Bob Gutsche

This monument at Deer Isle, Maine, is dedicated to those, from Deer Isle and Stonington, Maine, who served in World War II and Korea.

As I travel around the country, as well as overseas, I am touched by my numerous encounters with the significant display of patriotism and pride that folks feel toward those who have served, as well as those who have paid the ultimate price.

I speak not of the enormous monolithic memorials erected by our cities and governments, but of the outpouring of the sweat and tears associated with the placing of monuments to the local men and women of the community who have answered the call to arms.

Another monument at Deer Isle, this one is for those who served in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

While in Maine, and viewing one of the memorials to those who served in World War II and Korea, I took a moment to reflect back and imagine what it was like back then, and the enormous cost to a small New England fishing village in cost to families and community. Most noticeable on the bronze marker was the listing of each name of those who answered the call of their country. Especially noticeable was the listing of some twelve or thirteen names from the same family line (more than once). I realized that they were fathers, sons, brothers, and other relatives who stepped forward. Imagine the impact on the family and community. Those who paid the ultimate cost were denoted with a raised star by their name. Those were the days of unquestioned patriotism in America.

Individual sides of this monument, in the town square of Tecumseh, Nebraska, honor the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.

While paying a visit to our Tecumseh State Correctional Institution VietNow chapter, in Tecumseh, Nebraska, I traveled back in time to the town square where there were several local monuments to the men of the area. There was a single, four-sided vertical pillar engraved on each side for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. And a monument erected to all the soldiers and sailors from the county who served, from the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. I also found a Roll of Honor for those who served in the Great World War of 1914-1918.

Erected in 1903 by the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, this monument in Tecumseh, Nebraska, honors "all soldiers and sailors of Johnson County.

While on vacation with my wife, in Bavaria, in the little town of Garmish, we came across a rather surprising memorial on a pristine knoll overlooking the town. There we found a round building with numerous plaques dedicated to the local soldiers who perished during World War II. Those were German soldiers from the area, who fought against the Allies during the war. It is seldom that we take time out to think about those who served on the other side during conflict. What struck me were the names of these men. I come from a predominantly German area of Wisconsin, and the names on these plaques were just like the names I remember as a child in my neighborhood.

This Roll of Honor, Tecumseh, is "Dedicated to those of Johnson County, Nebraska, who in the spirit of self sacrifice enrolled in the service of their country in the Great World war of 1914-1918."

So, the next time you travel, whether it be here at home, or in a foreign country, take the time to get off the busy highway and take the road less traveled, as it will be truly rewarding to you as you experience the memorials that are from those who loved those who served.

Commemorated on wall plaques on the walls of a small, round buliding, German soldiers who fell in World War II are honored by the small town of Garmish, Bavaria.

After over twenty years in the U.S. Navy, National VA Chairman, Bob Gutsche worked as a counselor in the VA system for many years.

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