WATERTOWN VETERANS MEMORIAL

WATERTOWN, SD

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The vision of this memorial originated from a conversation in 2003 between Korean War Veteran, Laurel Foss, and a Vietnam Veteran, LeRoy Anderson. Foss was a recipient of the Purple heart and Bronze Star and both men were members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Since then, many Veterans and the community and donors rallied together to create the memorial, dedicated in 2005.

This memorial is located in Stokes Thomas Park beside Lake Kampeska. There is a bronze statue of a kneeling soldier bowing down to the boots, gun and helmet of a fallen comrade. An actual U.S. Army Cobra Helicopter is positioned on a 10-foot concrete pedestal.

The black mist granite walls display names more than 2,900 Veterans from 38 states, plus Veterans from Germany and England. More Veterans names are added to it each year. There are 15 flags representing the branches of service, Veteran organization flags and POW/MIA that surround the memorial. A patriotic poem “Freedom Isn’t Free” is etched in a black granite pedestal (author unknown).

The POW/MIA flag is connected to a chain which runs down into the ground and back up, connecting to a blue, metal globe. This chain connection symbolizes that Veterans will never be forgotten. The globe, created by the Lake Area Technical Institute welding class, displays an eagle on top along with the story of the chain, which was written by Michael N. Foss.