(Click picture for a larger view)
Memorial designed and photographed by P. Joseph Mullins |
West Virginia Veterans Memorial
The West Virginia Veterans Memorial is a two-story oval shaped monument honoring more than 10,000 West
Virginians who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the nation in twentieth century conflicts. Composed of
four limestone monoliths surrounded by a reflecting pool, the interior walls are faced in polished black granite
etched with the names of these men and women. The Memorial was designed by P. Joseph Mullins, who also sculpted
the four figures representing the four major twentieth century conflicts and the four major branches of military
service.
Begun as a privately funded undertaking, the Veterans Memorial Commission spearheaded these efforts as it
undertook compiling the names to be honored on the Memorial. After the official groundbreaking ceremony on June
22, 1990, the foundation was completed the year after and the monolith cores in 1992. Work was performed under
direction of ZMM, Inc. architects and G & G Builders. The 1994 legislature provided for lottery revenues to
supplement fund-raising efforts, moving the project to a more rapid completion. With installation of the final
sculpture in 1999, the cost of the Memorial and data on the inscribed names approached four million dollars. The
project continues through the work of the Veterans Memorial Archives, which compiles additional background
information on each veteran honored on the Memorial, to be placed in a database and accessible to the public
through the West Virginia State Archives.
Click this link to go to the official
Website
Korean War - Those Enshrined on the
Memorial (Killed or Missing in Action)
Korean War - West Virginia's
Medal of Honor Recipients |