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 Fallen Soldier Battlefield Cross - Woodland Park, CO Posted by:  condor1
N 38° 59.588 W 105° 03.586
13S E 494824 N 4316016
Located in Lion's Park in the center of Woodland Park at the northeast corner of the intersection of Hwy 24 and State Rd 67.
Waymark Code: WMAEQ0
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 01/05/2011
Published By: 3am
Views: 8
The symbol of the Boots, Rifle and Helmet have long been the military revered sign shown to Remeber a Fallen Soldier. Lion's Park, in the center of Woodland Park, CO is a very appropriate place to find this symbol of the Fallen Soldier.
This sculpture is an addition to a pleothora of memorials to the American Veteran. There is also a memorial to the Fallen of 9/11. See waymark WMACPV, as well as a Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker here WMACN8
LEST WE FORGET
A little history of the "Battlefield Cross"
The Fallen Soldier Battle Cross, Battlefield Cross or Battle Cross is a symbolic replacement of a cross on the battlefield or at the base camp for a soldier who has been killed. Made up of the soldier's rifle with bayonet attached stuck into the ground, helmet on top, dog tags sometimes hanging from the rifle and the boots of the fallen soldier next to it. Its purpose is to show honor and respect for the fallen at the battle site. The practice started during the American Civil War or maybe earlier as a means of identifying the bodies on the battleground before they were removed.
Today, it is an immediate means of showing respect for the fallen among the still living members of the troop. It might be seen in the field or base camp after the battle.
Used less today as a means to identify the fallen but more as a private ceremony among those still living as a means to mourn, as attending the funeral is not always possible for soldiers still in the fight.
Sitting in front of the memorial is a plaque showing the famous poem "IN FLANDERS FIELD", written by Lt Col John McCrae (1872-1918). The full text of the poem can be found below.
Memorial Park Dedication Ceremony
Type of Memorial: Non-Specific Memorial
Wars mentioned (Multi-war only):
None Mentioned or Listed
In Honor Of: All Fallen Soldiers
Marker Text:
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scared heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead, Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep though poppies grow
in Flanders fields.
Date of dedication: Unknown
Who Put it Here?: American Legion Post 1980, Lions Club, Elks Club and the City of Woodland Park
Description of Memorial:
This marker is located in Lion's Park. This small 1 acre wedge shaped park is home to many memorials as well as contemplation benches and little flower gardens.
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Visit Instructions:
Visited Logs must contain, at least, a picture of the monument and your GPSr. Preferably YOU at the monument with your GPSr, but we understand that some people are camera-shy.
It is suggested you please include something about your visit here, as well.
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