Description
The Seminole County World War I Memorial is a "broken shaft" of marble erected to honor the 13 young men of Seminole County, Florida, who died serving during World War I. Another three passed away from war-related injuries at later dates. Eleven of these men had their names collected via a newspaper advertisement that ran in The Sanford Herald in December 1918. The following names are engraved on the pillar: George W. Calhoun and M. W. Lowell, Jr. from the Navy; Frank A. Campbell, Handy Jenkins, Joseph S. Laing, Archie B. Liles, Arthur D. Lossing, Carl Marm, Harry Phillips, Edwin J. Robinson, and James Oscar White from the Army. There are also engravings on all four sides of the base.
On February 23, 1919, the monument was dedicated in present-day Centennial Park, formerly named Central Park. The memorial was presented by Frank L. Miller and received by Judge E. F. Housholder. It is known as the first monument to soldiers of World War I. A feature that is unique for the time period in which it was erected is the inclusion of the names of two African-American men. This inclusion assured the resulting crowd of over 1,500 people in attendance for the ceremony was made up of people from all races. The memorial has since been moved to various locations including: American Legion Post 53, known locally as the "Legion Hut" until its destruction, at 3506 Orlando Drive on February 24, 1985; the new American Legion Post 53 at 2874 South Sanford Avenue in June 1988; and Veterans Memorial Park on November 11, 2006. The monument was rededicated to the people of Seminole County on May 28, 2007.
Coverage
Seminole County World War I Memorial, Veterans Memorial Park, Sanford, Florida
Transcript
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE BRAVE SONS
DEDICATED
TO
THE MEMORY OF
THE BRAVE SONS OF
SEMINOLE COUNTY
WHO LAID THEIR LIVES
ON THE SACRIFICIAL ALTAR
OF
DEMOCRACY
IN THE WORLD WAR
1914 - 1918
THE MONUMENT STORY
FEBRUARY 23, 1919, THE MONUMENT WAS FIRST UNVEILED AT CENTRAL PARK (NOW CENTENNIAL PARK) HONORING 11 MEN FROM SEMINOLE COUNTY WHO DIED IN SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTRY IN WWI. IT IS MADE OF MARBLE AND IN THE FORM OF A BROKEN SHAFT SYMBOLIZING THE YOUTHFUL LIVES SACRIFICED IN THE PRIME OF MANHOOD FOR THE "CAUSE OF THE RIGHT AND JUST." F.L. MILLER OF MILVIS MARBLE CO. PRESENTED THE MONUMENT TO SEMINOLE COUNTY.
FEBRUARY 24, 1985, THE MONUMENT WAS MOVED TO THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 53 AT 3506 ORLANDO DRIVE.
JUNE 1988, THE MONUMENT WAS MOVED TO THE AMERICAN LEGION'S NEW HOME AT 2874 S. SANFORD AVE IN SANFORD.
NOVEMBER 11, 2006 THE MONUMENT WAS MOVED TO A PLACE OF HONOR HERE AT THE VETERANS' MEMORIAL PARK.
MAY 28, 2007, THE MONUMENT WAS REDEDICATED TO THE PEOPLE OF SEMINOLE COUNTY.
THE MONUMENT STORY
FEBRUARY 23, 1919, THE MONUMENT WAS FIRST UNVEILED AT CENTRAL PARK (NOW CENTENNIAL PARK) HONORING 11 MEN FROM SEMINOLE COUNTY WHO DIED IN SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTRY IN WWI. IT IS MADE OF MARBLE AND IN THE FORM OF A BROKEN SHAFT SYMBOLIZING THE YOUTHFUL LIVES SACRIFICED IN THE PRIME OF MANHOOD FOR THE "CAUSE OF THE RIGHT AND JUST." F.L. MILLER OF MILVIS MARBLE CO. PRESENTED THE MONUMENT TO SEMINOLE COUNTY.
FEBRUARY 24, 1985, THE MONUMENT WAS MOVED TO THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 53 AT 3506 ORLANDO DRIVE.
JUNE 1988, THE MONUMENT WAS MOVED TO THE AMERICAN LEGION'S NEW HOME AT 2874 S. SANFORD AVE IN SANFORD.
NOVEMBER 11, 2006 THE MONUMENT WAS MOVED TO A PLACE OF HONOR HERE AT THE VETERANS' MEMORIAL PARK.
MAY 28, 2007, THE MONUMENT WAS REDEDICATED TO THE PEOPLE OF SEMINOLE COUNTY.
-ARMY-
-
FRANK A. CAMPBELL
ARTHUR D. LOSSING
ARCHIE B. LILES
JOSEPH S. LAING
J. OSCAR WHITE
HARRY PHILLIPS
CARL MALM
EDWIN J. ROBINSON
HANDY JENKINS
"ONLY THOSE ARE FIT TO LIVE WHO DO NOT FEAR TO DIE"
-NAVY-
-
M.W. LOVELL JR.
ERECTED AND PRESENTED TO SEMINOLE COUNTY BY FRANK L. MILLER
RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED BY
JUDGE E. F. HOUSHOLDER
FEBY 20, 1919