Veteran's Memorial - Gilmer, TX
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member WalksfarTX
N 32° 43.741 W 094° 56.666
15S E 317790 N 3622918
Large square monument on the south side of the Upshur County Courthouse lawn.
Waymark Code: WMZV83
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 01/07/2019
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member iconions
Views: 0
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Gilmer Mirror News Article

"MEMORIAL DAY 1955 in Gilmer finds a firing squad saluting a beautiful grey granite memorial on which are carved the names of 108 Upshur County men who died in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.

Frank E. Smith told how the monument came into being from an idea Mr. Penn had nearly three years ago. He said Mr. Penn first offered $1,000, later $2,000 to get a fund started for a memorial monument but nothing came of it.

"Then he came to my house one night and said, 'Upshur County and its people have made me what I am.. I love these people. I'm going to pay the bill out of my pocket'" related Mr. Smith."

Gilmer Mirror News Article

"Mr. Penn first placed the order for a Quincy granite monument from Quincy, Mass., in November of 1953. The contract called for perfectly matched stones, clear of blemishes. The Quincy granite has been proven one of the longest-lasting and most beautiful types.

The top piece of the monument is unusually large— 8 feet 2 inches by 5 feet 2 inches, and one foot thick—and the first piece that was quarried had a corner broken off. The company offered to make a substitute because of the year's wait necessary to get into the quarry for a replacement. (Bad weather | makes the granite inaccessible many months each year.) Mr. Penn declined to accept a substitute, however, and the completed memorial was delivered last week. The monument stands more than 9 feet tall and weighs 4.6,-800 pounds. Its concrete foundation, 10 feet deep, weighs even more. The top piece alone weighs 9,000 pounds."

Type of Memorial: Multi-War Memorial

Wars mentioned (Multi-war only):
World War I / World War II / Korea

In Honor Of: In Grateful Tribute to the men of Upshur County who gave their lives in World War I - World War II - Korea and to honor all men and women of this country who served in the armed forces.

Marker Text:
(Front:) For God - For County / Forever Honored - Forever Mourned / Four circular emblems bracket the text: In Grateful Tribute to the men of Upshur County who gave their lives in World War I - World War II - Korea / World War I followed by a list of names in two columns / and to honor all men and women of this country who served in the armed forces. / two row of names across the bottom. (Left Side)World War II followed by a row of names / World War II again with more names / Korean War with two names / Korean War with one name / (Back Side) World War II followed by two columns of names. At base, Given by J.R. Penn 1955 / (Right Side) World War II followed by a single row of names

Date of dedication: 1955

Who Put it Here?: J.R. Penn

Description of Memorial:
Large square gray marker on the courthouse lawn.
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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