Veterans memorial unveiled

CRESCENT, Iowa — “Any nation that fails to honor its heroes shall not long endure,” President Abraham Lincoln once said.

Those words were repeated Saturday by Jay Manifold of Omaha's Woodmen of the World during the dedication of the Old Lincoln Highway Veterans Monument in a small park south of here. Manifold dedicated three flags — the U.S., Iowa and POW-MIA — during the ceremony on behalf of their donors, Woodmen of the World Lodges 14, 6011 and 635.

The monument, titled “Road of Honor,” was sculpted by Russ Christensen of Neola, Iowa, as part of the ongoing Eagles of Pottawattamie County Project.

Each city in the project, with the help of $25,000 in seed money from the Pottawattamie County Board, selects its own theme for a bronze bald eagle that is 42 inches tall mounted on a 4-foot-tall brick base. The monuments honor veterans both living and dead.

The Crescent monument's unveiling capped three years of planning, fundraising and volunteer work, said Shannon Shea, Saturday's master of ceremonies and a Navy veteran.

“It took the talent and dedication of a team of volunteers to accomplish such a feat in such a short time,” he said. “The monument is a fitting tribute and will be here for years to come.”

The monument site, just north of the Ferris Addition on the east side of the Old Lincoln Highway, will include a wall bearing bronze seals for each branch of the military and another wall where plaques naming the donors will be displayed.

Crescent Mayor Marialice Leggio remembered those who had served, including her father, her father's cousin and several other relatives.

“The love of their country and the love of all the veterans made freedom possible,” she said. “I hope all the veterans take pride in this monument honoring them, because it truly is a beautiful tribute.”

She thanked Glenn Ferris, Crescent's former mayor, for envisioning the 1.3 acre park where the monument stands. Previously a horse pasture, it includes a small shelter house, walking path and green space, as well as the monument.

American Legion Post No. 88 of Shenandoah furnished a color guard for the ceremony, and the Crescent Volunteer Fire Department Color Guard raised the three flags behind the monument. Kevin Holben, assistant chief of the Crescent Volunteer Fire Department Color Guard, sang the national anthem. American Legion Rainbow Post No. 2 fired a salute to those killed and missing in action.

Michael J. Landkamer, national vice commander for the American Legion, Department of Nebraska, was on hand and said he was impressed by the show of support from Crescent area residents Saturday.

“I'm just really amazed,” he said.

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