The Soldier's Monument was designed by Lockport artist,
A. Raphael Beck and erected in 1930 by
"popular subscription." It is located across from Lockport Memorial
Hospital along East Avenue. LeVan Avenue borders the park on the south.
The monument is an architectural masterpiece. Because of vandalism, ornate torches at the four corners of the base have been removed.
Atop the spire which soars skyward is a statue of "Liberty" with a World War I helmet, sitting down and looking out west over the city.
Around the base and grounds of the monument plaques have been erected to honor those who served from Lockport in the major wars since "The World War" which this tribute was primarily erected for. Lockportians who participated in the Korean War, and the Vietnam War are especially remembered here.
Because this is a Memorial Park to veterans, there are no playgrounds here. The maintenance of the grounds and the monument are the responsibility of the City of Lockport. However, money, manpower, and management for maintenance has been inadequate in recent years.
You may not have ever seen her this way, this close, before.
Her skin is a bit spotted now. At 70, she's a Lockport Senior. And keeping watch, day and night, in rain, snow and wind --- in summer heat and winter cold --- has also put a tarnish on her architectural bronze copper coat. But not her spirit. Her patriotic crosier with the Lockport designator topped by a small eagle remains straight and solid.
Lady Liberty, wearing a WW-1 combat helmet, continues her watch over Lockport today just as she has every day since 1930.
She has seen thousands of Lockportains go off to war in foreign lands and military service in all states and around the world. As she has for most of the 20th Century, she still waits here in Lockport to welcome "Lockport boys" home.
Lady Liberty is the work of New York City (Queens) sculptor, James S. J. Novelli (1885-1940)
The monument is a masterpiece and the park is a jewel of Lockport. Dramatic lighting illuminates the monument at night. The watch...never ends.
Below, many plaques put up by various groups honor their membership and associates. There's also a credit plaque for those responsible for most every phase of the monument's construction.
Other plaques added years after the monument was put up with donated funds of the community, proclaim memorial recognition for Korean and Vietnam warriors. As with the national monuments in Washington, DC, strangely, there is no memorial plaque for World War II veterans. The monument was inspired by the service of WW-1 vets but does not single them out for any special recognition.
Protected from the assaults of vandals, Liberty remains above the fray of the various political purposes the Veteran's Memorial Park below her has been used for over the years.
The plaque on the stone notes a remarkable and tragic connection:
To Honor The Memory of Pvt. Joseph F. O'Hearn and his nephew SSgt
William J. Stamp
who were the first Lockport residents to be killed in World War I and World War II.
O'Hearn: 1890-1918 Stamp:
1913-1943
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.
The Latin inscription at the monument's base is a classic idiom that is usually
translated, "There's no greater honor than to die for one's country." It
is based on words from Horace's Odes.
There is no sign here warning "Do not litter." Even if there were, some don't seem to care. Notice the two crushed beverage containers dropped by children hanging out. Those who litter, damage, and vandalize don't appear to appreciate this is a Field of Honor.
Below the Latin is an original plaque dedicating the monument to all those "Who made the Supreme Sacrifice...and to all others who served in the wars of the United States.
Although designed by Lockport artist A. Raphael Beck, the massive project was actually constructed by Memorials Art Company, Inc. The money for the memorial was raised---not by taxes---but by community donations gathered by The Lockport Men's Community Club, Inc.
Listed on one of the credit plaques at the base of the monument is Schuyler Beattie as Secretary of the Lockport Men's Community Club. Mr. Beattie's real job was private secretary to Lockport financial tycoon, William Rand Kenan Jr. It is not known how much Mr. Kenan donated to the monument effort. However, this was before the Lockport Masons managed to offend Mr. Keanan and have his wife dismissed from the Hospital Board. Prior to this, Kenan was very generous with many Lockport community causes.
Some Additional History Of Veterans Monument
I was really surprised to read about the poor shape the Veterans Memorial Monument is in.
I take great pride in this park and all of it's artifacts because after growing up as a
child on the corner of Summer St. and Harrison Ave. (Bud's Market)
I tried as a young adult back in the early 1980's to help rebuild this treasure by getting private funding to place lights and scrubs at the base of this Lockport Landmark. At the time then Mayor Thomas Rotondo (Now My father-in-law) appointed myself along with Mr.Boyer from the Navy & Marine Veteran Organization to the task of getting this Monument back in showroom like condition. As many of the city's finest organizations along with private citizen contributed to this great cause it soon became a reality. However along the journey to such a great cause, came a history lesson that I'll never forget. Let me offer you some of my findings.
First if we take a moment to think that we just came out of the great depression of 1929 and the year is know 1930 and our citizens felt that strongly about constructing a monument to express "Thanks" to those who served in our Armed Forces. From the very beginning it was often talked about if the project would ever be completed due to some problems between then Political Leader vs. Community Leaders. The estimated cost of the structure was around $30,000 dollars. With the City giving $5000 and the Citizens Collecting $25,000.
The stone is of Pink Georgian Marble and today what we see is totally different from the original built monument. It had fountains on all four corners and draped bronze flags on two sides. The power came from an underground cable that was connected to the light poles at the entrance of LMH.
To conclude it wasn't until I became 5th Ward Alderman that the
Park took on the formal name of Vets Park, prior to that it was listed as East Ave Park
for all those years. I offered a name change to the original Vets Park located over off
Elmwood Ave. to a person who did so much throughout Lockport for youth baseball to a man
named Joseph Kibler Sr. History lives on in all of us and September 11th will never be
forgotten, nor should the hard work of those who came before us to freely express
Patriotism.
James Budde
Former 5th Ward Alderman
Lockport,NY 14094
11-14-01
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