Monument to the 20th Century War Dead

This Times news article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:

Prime Goal Set For Project

Lowell -- Community leaders have committed their efforts to erecting a memorial to those area residents who gave their lives during the past four wars.

It is all part of "Celebration '88," an Indiana Department of Commerce-backed three-year program promoting local improvement projects statewide.

Town Trustee William Marshall who spearheaded the drive for local participation in "Celebration '88," was elected chairman of the celebration steering committee at a meeting Wednesday night.

Assisting Marshall are vice-chairman Al Havens of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6841; secretary Virginia Maravilla, Lowell Library director; and treasurer Mike Martin, Lowell Chamber of Commerce President and an officer of Lowell National Bank.

Others on the steering committee and the organizations they represent are: William Dunn, Lowell Rotary; Mike Echterling, First Air Calvary Division Association; Richard Schmal, Three Creeks Historical Society; Stan Lee, Veterans of Foreign War Post 6841; and Caren Marshall, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6841 Auxiliary.

The steering committee's job is to determine a local project(s), raise money and coordinate community activities. The committee got on its way by selecting the memorial as the primary "celebration '88" project.

As proposed, the memorial will be comprised of four stones -- one each for World War I, World War II, and the Korean and Viet Nam Wars with names inscribed on each -- set in a concrete walk around base that will feature stone benches and stools.

The rear of the setting will be burmed up with a flagpole and offer a leveled area for flag ceremonies.

The memorial is expected to be the primary, but not the only, "Celebration '88" project.

Among items discussed were: tagging all events as "Celebration '88" such as the annual Chamber-sponsored Oktoberfest, highlighting the annual American Legion Post 101-sponsored Labor Day / Homecoming Parade and general improvements in the Tri-Creek area.

The memorial is estimated to cost $10,000 and the committee has accepted its first donations.

The VFW Post pledged $500 as did its Auxiliary to set up an account for the memorial.

Town Manager Tim Gagen said the account will be established immediately at Lowell National Bank under the name of the "Celebration '88" steering committee.

Any individual or organization wishing to donate to the fund can do so at any Lowell National Bank location.

The money collected will go toward the memorial and / or any other projects approved by the steering committee.

Three standing committees were set Wednesday to get things under way. They are: Heritage/Research, Schmal, Echterling, and Don Gwyn, Veterans Service Officer; construction/layout/design, Marshall, Havens, Lee and Jack Anderson, representing the Lowell Memorial Cemetery; and public communications, Martin, Gagen and Melanie Csepiga, representing the Lowell Neighborhood Girl Scouts.

The steering committee agreed to meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. beginning Oct. 8. They will meet at the Lowell Town Hall, lower level.

The public is invited to the steering committee meetings.

In 1988 a war memorial was created to honor local men who died in war during the twentieth century. Located next to Lowell Memorial Cemetery, each war had its own stone. A fifth stone, in the center, carries these words:

DEDICATED TO THE
MEN AND WOMEN OF
THE THREE CREEKS WHO
SERVED IN THE ARMED
FORCES AND TO THESE
WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR
LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY

ARMY - AIR FORCE - COAST GUARD - MARINES - NAVY

BY CITIZENS OF WEST, CEDAR
AND EAGLE CREEK TOWNSHIPS
DEDICATED MAY 1, 1988

Last updated on April 16, 2012.

Go to War Memorial to 20th Century Dead, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.

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Monument to the 20th Century War Dead

Monument to the 20th Century War Dead

Prime Goal Set For Project

W W I

W W II

KOREA

VIETNAM

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