IN MEMORY OF/CARL VINSON (Text on flanking bronze plaques gives highlights of Vinson's political career and contributions to Georgia) unsigned Founder's mark appears. Granite stele with relief of eagle at top and flanked by two smaller granite stele with bronze text plaques commemorating Carl Vinson. Entire memorial is set on raised pavers.
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From the plaque on the left:
*** Carl Vinson ***
Carl Vinson served in the United States House of Representatives for 50 years -- the longest continuous service in history -- from 1914 to 1964, a tenure that extended during the terms of nine presidents from Woodrow Wilson to Lyndon Johnson. A fervent believer that peace can only be maintained if the country's defenses are strong. Mr. Vinson was known as one of the nation's most stalwart and influential supporters of a strong national defense. He was chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee for 16 years and of the Armed Services Committee for 14 years. In matters of national defense his influence came to be regarded as second only to that of the President.
From 1951 until his retirement the congressional district he represented included Macon and Bibb County, and he was instrumental in the location within the middle Georgia area of many projects of great benefit to Macon. He was primarily responsible for the construction of Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins and played a leading role in assuring that I-75 and I-16 passed through Macon. Mr. Vinson was a leader in founding the Mercer Medical School, and his efforts were vital to the construction of Lake Tobesofkee, the construction of Cochran Field (now Macon's Municipal Airport), the new Federal Building on College Street in Macon, and the Naval Ordinance Plant, the reactivation of Camp Wheeler near Macon during World War II, and the naming of a dirigible and naval vessel for the city of Macon, all came about primarily as a result of his efforts.
Carl Vinson was born November 18, 1883, near Milledville, Georgia, and spent his formative years in that city. After his graduation from Mercer University Law School in Macon in 1902, he practiced law, was appointed Baldwin County Court Solicitor, was elected to two terms of the Georgia Legislature, and served as Judge of Baldwin County Court. A life-long Democrat, he was elected in 1914 to the U.S. House of Representatives and was sworn in November 5 of that year as the youngest member of Congress.
From 1917 until his retirement, Mr. Vinson was a member of first the Naval Affairs Committee and then the Armed Services Committee into which the Naval Affairs Committee was merged. Throughout that time he played a leading role in defense matters, and his influence was enhanced in 1931 when he became chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee and in 1949 when he became chairman of the Armed Service Committee.
From the plaque on the right:
Not only did Mr. Vinson believe that a strong national defense is essential to peace, he regarded national defense as a non-partisan matter:
"... My country and its safety come ahead of any party..."
These two principles and his belief in civilian control of the military guided him throughout his career.
Between 1931 and 1940, as a result of bills passed through Chairman Vinson's Naval Affairs Committee, the Navy was almost completely rebuilt, greatly increasing its preparedness for World War II. So influential was he in naval affairs that he often referred to "My Navy" and others often referred to him as "The Admiral". When World War II came Mr. Vinson sponsored and guided through the house a myriad of bills dealing with all aspects of the war effort. In speaking of his accomplishments between 1935 and 1945, Admiral William D. Leahy said,
"In my opinion, the Georgia Representative had, in the past decade, contributed more to the national defense than any other single person, except the the President himself."
Mr. Vinson was among the first to recognize the importance of air power and worked throughout his career to strengthen military aviation. Later he supported the establishment of a separate air force, the founding of the Air Force Academy, and the maintenance of a strong strategic air arm.
After World War II Mr. Vinson continued to be the recognized authority and leader in Congress on defense matters and worked to modernize and strengthen all of the armed services until his retirement in 1964.
On October 24, 1964 he was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civillian award.
Upon his retirement, Mr. Vinson returned to his farm near Milledgeville and continued to lead a productive life until his death on June 1, 1981. Never forgetting his own words:
"The surest way to prevent war is to be prepared for it."
Monument donated by Friends of Carl Vinson~ August 1987