Winged Victory Monument

In a solemn and patriotic ceremony on the capitol grounds on May 30, 1938, the Winged Victory Monument was dedicated to the memory of World War I veterans. The sculpture was unveiled by two Gold Star mothers, Mrs. Charles V. Leach and Mrs. Cordelia Cater, after whose sons the Olympia posts of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars were named. The dedication address was presented by Stephen F. Chadwick, national chairman of the American Legion's Americanism Committee. The bronze sculpture features a 12-foot tall figure of Winged Victory surrounded by the figures of a soldier, a sailor, a marine, and a Red Cross Nurse. Inscriptions: East face: WA State Seal, 'To the memory of the citizens of the State of Washington who lost their lives in the service of the United States during the World War 1917 – 1918', North face: 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend' West face: 'Their sacrifice was to vindicate the principles of peace and justice in the life of the world' South face: 'They fought to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy.