Veteran's War Memorial, (sculpture).

Veteran's War Memorial, (sculpture).

Johnson, Gregory, sculptor.

Joel Meisner & Company, Inc., founder.

Veteran's War Memorial, (sculpture).

War Memorial Monument, (sculpture).

Commissioned spring 1991. July 1991-May 1992. Dedicated July 1992.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: pink pearl granite.

Sculpture: approx. H. 82 1/2 in.; Base: approx. W. 30 1/2 ft. x D. 31 1/2 ft.

(foundry mark) MEISNER, FARMINGDALE N.Y. (At lower right of each pedestal:) GREGORY JOHNSON (On first pedestal, incised letters:) CIVIL WAR 1861-1865/(three columns of names) (On second pedestal, incised letters:) WORLD WAR I/1914-1918/(list of eight names) (On third pedestal, incised letters:) WORLD WAR II/1939-1945/(list of twenty-eight names) (On fourth pedestal, incised letters:) KOREAN/WAR/1950-1953 (On fifth pedestal, incised letters:) VIETNAM/1959/(list of three names) (On sixth pedestal, incised letters:) PERSIAN/GULF WAR/1990-1991 (On World War I sculpture, raised letters:) PSALM 22/A Psalm at Dark/The Lord is my shepherd/(...text continues) (On base, incised letters:) "HE STANDS IN THE UNBROKEN LINE OF PATRIOTS WHO HAVE DARED TO DIE THAT FREEDOM MIGHT LIVE AND INCREASE ITS BLESSINGS FREEDOM LIVES AND THROUGH IT HE LIVES IN A WAY THAT HUMBLES THE UNDERTAKINGS OF MOST MEN" FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT/PRESIDENT OF THE/UNITED STATES OF AMERICA signed Founder's mark appears.

A diamond-shaped war memorial comprised of three stepped granite platforms featuring 35 bronze artifacts atop granite pedestals that bear the names of wars and their dead from Cumming and Forsyth County; and flags from the four services, alongside flags of Georgia, the U.S., and MIA/POW flags.

The top tier is a tribute to the Vietnam War. Its pedestal features a bronze straight-back chair, with military jacket hanging from the back; a helmet, flask, pouch and 4 war medals on the chair's seat. At the foot of the chair are a pair of army boots (with laces undone) and socks, one crumpled up and the other hanging over the pedestal's rim.

The second tier has pedestals dedicated to the Korean and Persian Gulf Wars. The draped Korean War pedestal features a pair of binoculars. The Persian Gulf War features a walkie-talkie. On the lowest tier are pedestals for the Civil and World Wars. On the Civil War pedestal there is a bugle, a soldier's billed cap, a water canteen and a small bird. On the World War I pedestal are aviator glasses and a book of Psalms, opened to Psalm 22, with a pencil as a place-mark. On the World War II pedestal is a map, possibly a compass, an officer's hat and a palm tree branch.

History -- United States -- Civil War

History -- United States -- World War I

History -- United States -- World War II

History -- United States -- Korean War

History -- United States -- Vietnam War

History -- United States -- Persian Gulf War

Dress -- Accessory -- Hat

Dress -- Accessory -- Binoculars

Dress -- Accessory -- Eye wear

Dress -- Accessory -- Helmet

Dress -- Accessory -- Shoe

Object -- Furniture -- Chair

Object -- Foliage -- Palm

Object -- Musical Instrument -- Bugle

Object -- Written Matter -- Bible

Object -- Written Matter -- Map

Outdoor Sculpture -- Georgia -- Cumming

City Hall, 301 Old Buford Road, Front Lawn, Heritage Gardens, Cumming, Georgia 30131

The sculpture was commissioned in the spring of 1991 by the City. It commemorates veterans from Cummings. The plaque on pedestal at memorial entrance reads: VETERAN'S WAR MEMORIAL/DEDICATED IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1992/(...transcription illegible) COMMISSIONED BY/THE CITY OF CUMMING/REALIZING ANEW THE FULL PORTION/OF SACRIFICE PAID BY THE SONS AND/DAUGHTERS OF CUMMING AND FORSYTH/COUNTY GEORGIA IN THE DEFENSE/OF LIFE AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS/WE THE CITIZENS IN GRATITUDE/AND HONOR DEDICATE THIS MONUMENT/TO THEIR MEMORY/AND IN DOING SO PLEDGE TO/PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE FREEDOMS/FOR WHICH THEY SO BRAVELY FOUGHT/THIS PLACE WILL BE HELD IN/REVERENCE FOR ALL THOSE WHO WISH/TO PAUSE AND REMEMBER HOW WE CAME/TO LIVE IN THIS SWEET LAND OF/LIBERTY/AMERICA AMERICA/GOD SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE/ELECTED OFFICIALS (list of names follows).

IAS files contain transcription of names on pedestals. IAS files contain a May 21, 1992 news release and copy of brochures from original and first anniversary dedication ceremonies.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Georgia, Atlanta survey, 1993.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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