Granite Veteran Memorials

A veteran memorial is a building, monument, statue or sculpture to commemorate those who died or were injured in war. Throughout history, war memorials were erected to commemorate great victories. Honoring the deceased was secondary. A highly recognized example is the Arc de Triomphe in Paris which contain no individual names. By the end of the 19th century, it was common for the British Army to erect monuments to those who had died in smaller wars. However it was after the great losses of the First World War that commemoration took center stage and most communities erected a war memorial listing those men and women who had gone to war and not come home.

Today, the main intent is not to glorify war, but to honor those who have given so much for their country. They may also serve places of reflection and healing for those related to the deceased. Using modern technology, an international project is currently archiving all post-1914 Commonwealth war graves and Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorials to create a virtual online memorial.

 

Many veteran memorials take the form of a monument and serve as a meeting place for Memorial Day services. As such, they are often found near the center of town, at a local VFW or set in a park to allow easy public access. Many veteran memorials have epitaphs relating to the unit, battle or war they commemorate and often bear the military symbols for those who so bravely served. These memorials are usually designed in granite, metal, bronze or glass and are generally given public input as most are publicly or group funded.

 

Professional memorialists are challenged to satisfy the patriotism of those who spearhead these projects. Your Century Harmony salesperson can work one-on-one with you to create a one-of-a-kind and meaningful veterans memorial.