Cleveland, Oklahoma Area War Memorial

The memorial complex consists of a large concrete patio area with 7 granite monuments, arranged around a central flagpole, with 4 granite benches at its base. A towed 105mm light howitzer, model M102, is on display adjacent to the walkway leading to the memorial. The west-central monument is the focal point, and consists of 3 distinct vertical, polished black granite pillars and 2 white Tuscan columns. They rest on 1 lower white granite and 2 upper black granite, horizontal, stepped bases. The columns and 2 interior pillars are capped by black granite. The taller center pillar is capped by white granite and a black granite “roof.” The front side of the center pillar features a picture of a bald eagle superimposed on the American Flag, the Army Emblem and Seals of the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, and a written tribute to fallen veterans of World War II. Inscribed are the words: “THOSE WHO GAVE IT ALL IN WWII” followed by a listing of 24 names. Then, the words: “TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SO NOBLY GAVE IT ALL FOR THEIR COUNTRY, WE STOP AND DEDICATE THIS DAY TO THEM. WE BOW OUR HEADS IN THEIR MEMORY, AND OFFER A SILENT PRAYER THAT THEY HAVE NOT DIED IN VAIN” The tribute to the fallen continues on the reverse side of the center pillar, which shows images of a soldier paying respects at a field grave site, a formal military funeral ceremony with bearers placing a flag-draped casket over a grave, and a field memorial featuring a helmet on a rifle, barrel down, and a pair of boots. A listing of 8 veterans follows. The front side of the left (southern) pillar features the Civil War period. Pictured are President Lincoln, General Grant, General Lee, a soldier with flag, and an ironclad warship. On the reverse side of this pillar, the Vietnam War period is depicted with pictures of American and allied soldiers celebrating beneath their respective flags, soldiers during tactical movement, a CH-54 “Crane” heavy-lift helicopter with pod, and a tracked weapons system on the march. The front side of the right (northern) pillar features the World War II period. Pictured are the American Flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, a soldier advancing under fire, General of the Army Eisenhower talking with troopers of the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles” Division prior to D-Day, a sailor on watch in heavy weather at sea, soldiers manning their field fighting position, and aircraft carriers at sea. On the reverse side, the World War I period is represented by pictures of a unit of “Doughboys,” tanks on the move, a soldier beside his tent, a tracked, armored field gun, and a warship. On the uppermost black granite base supporting the pillars and columns of the monument is inscribed: “WHEN YOU GO HOME, TELL THEM WE GAVE OUR TODAY FOR YOUR TOMORROW” The remaining 6 monuments feature a polished black granite vertical pillar, supported by 2 gray granite horizontal stepped bases. Flanking the focal western monument, on the left (southern side) is the Korean War monument. Pictured are troops in action, ships at sea, and aircraft. On the right (northern) flank is the Desert Storm monument featuring a mortar crewman, M1 “Abrams” Main Battle Tank, Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser, EA-6B “Prowler” electronic warfare aircraft, and B-52 “Stratofortress” bomber aircraft. The other 4 monuments list alphabetically the names of veterans on both sides and are arrayed in semicircular fashion along the eastern half of the patio area. Two of the four benches at the flagpole depict pictures of individual veterans on the 2 black polished granite benches. The other two gray granite benches show the names of sponsors of the memorial. The howitzer on static display visually reinforces the military theme of the memorial and symbolizes a salute gun for the firing of three volleys in honor of deceased veterans. The lighted flagpole flies the American and State of Oklahoma Flags.