Of all the places in and around Milwaukee that I had on my “to-do and see list,” the one that I knew would mean the most to me, and maybe take the most emotional toll was The War Memorial Center. Wisconsin’s memorial to all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Services. Their mission is to:
“Honor the Dead. Serve the Living.”
The War Memorial Center, which was dedicated on Memorial Day 1957 was designed by the Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, whose work also included the St. Louis Gateway Arch, New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport and Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.
Saarinen’s design and the memorials throughout the facility stand as a lasting testament to those who lost their lives defending the freedoms that we all cherish.
In addition to paying tribute to all the brave Americans who have given their lives to this great country The War Memorial Center honors the 3,481 men and women from Milwaukee County who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
An eternal flame illuminates a black-granite Honor Roll listing Milwaukee County’s 3,481 war dead since World War II, the wars in Korean and Vietnam and those related to the Global War on Terrorism.
The black-granite ring in the center of Veterans Courtyard represents the never-ending commitment of our men and women in the military. The Ring of Honor lists all the Department of Defense-recognized conflicts American troops have fought in since World War I.
As a tribute to the servicemen and women who have been awarded this honor, a committee was formed in 2007 with the goal of erecting a Purple Heart Memorial on the grounds of the War Memorial Center.
Privately funded by the Runzheimer Foundation, the Operation Iraqi Freedom Monument is dedicated to the Marines of Fox Company, who were killed in action during the Iraq War.
The most amazing statue of Abraham Lincoln I have ever seen is on the West side of the War Memorial Center. It was dedicated in 1934.This 10’6″ bronze statue was sculpted by American artist Gaetano Cecere and he was paid to do the work with pennies collected by area school children.
For me, the most striking and heart rending part of the entire WMC was The 9/11 Memorial. September 11, 1991, is my Pearl Harbor, and I will always think of those lost and my brothers in arms. The WMC 9/11 Memorial features a World Trade Center I-beam recovered from Ground Zero. The 1,566 pound artifact will always remain a reminder of that tragic day. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed 2,996 people and wounded many more bodies, hearts, and minds.
I am very thankful for Emily, being the daughter, stepdaughter, niece and grand child of veteran’s, who understands our need to commemorate our heroes, no matter the political ideology and reasons for wars and conflicts.
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