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 Battlefield Cross - Amer Legion War Memorial - Weatherford, OK Posted by:  hamquilter
N 35° 31.789 W 098° 43.258
14S E 525297 N 3931836
This touching sculpture is located at a beautiful war memorial south of Greenwood Cemetery on the west side of Weatherford.
Waymark Code: WM109D1
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 03/25/2019
Views: 2
The American legion sponsored this war memorial which honors those who have served, are serving, and will serve, and those who gave their all in the fight for our freedom. Seven flags fly over the monument, which consists of seven black polished granite obelisks.<p<>
At the center of the monument is a bronze sculpture known as the Battlefield Cross. This excerpt from Wikipedia describes the sculpture and its significance. " The Fallen Soldier Battle Cross, Battlefield Cross or Battle Cross is a symbolic replacement of a cross, or marker appropriate to an individual service-member's religion, on the battlefield or at the base camp for a soldier who has been killed. It is made up of the soldier's rifle stuck into the ground or into the soldier's boots, with helmet on top. Dog tags are sometimes placed on the rifle, and the boots of the dead soldier can be placed next to the rifle. The purpose is to show honor and respect for the dead at the battle site. The practice started during or prior to the American Civil War, as a means of identifying the bodies on the battleground before removal. Today, it is a means of showing respect for the dead amongst the still living members of the troop. It is commonly seen in the field or base camp after a battle, especially among American troops in Afghanistan or Iraq. While it is used less today as a means of identification, it still serves as a method of mourning among the living, as attending the funeral is not always possible for soldiers still in combat. "
Title: Battlefield Cross
Website: [Web Link]
Type of Object: Rifle, helmet and boots
Location: Amer. Legion War Memorial Weatherford, OK
Material: Bronze
Artist: Not listed
Placement Date: Not listed
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