Veterans Memorial Park Tour Guide

How to Use:

When you arrive at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio, start at the Freedom Shrine. This is the kiosk centered at the parking lot. Find the titles of the memorials as you walk through the park to find more information about the memorial and veterans who served in that war.

You will be directed to the next memorial at the end of each memorial description. You can also make your own path through the park and find the memorial title you wish to read about.

Please enjoy the walk through the park and remember the sacrifice of those from our community who have served or given their lives in the defense of their fellow man.

Freedom Shrine
The Freedom Shrine is a display of various documents important to the freedom of our country. While here remember those who served during times of peace to ensure our freedom and remember the sacrifices they gave during their service to our country.

About the Park
Veterans Memorial Park is not sponsored by any one group or person, the park is Solely to Remember and Honor Marion’s Veterans.

The park came into existence in 1982, and was the “Nation’s First – Veteran’s Memorial Park for All Wars.”
It sits on 7-1/2 acres of land donated by the City of Marion, Ohio.

On Memorial Day weekend, July 4th weekend, Labor Day weekend, and Veterans Day, 600 American flags line the sidewalks and are throughout the park. It is to honor all that have served and to those that have made sacrifices for our freedoms.

(Continue South, behind the Freedom Shrine) Gulf War

Persian Gulf War (Dedicated on July 4th, 1992)
This monument honors all veterans of the Persian Gulf War aka. “The Gulf War.” The main operation was named “Operation Desert Storm.” The war was from August 2, 1990 to February 28, 1991. In addition to the many men and women in the active duty services, Marion’s 79th Quarter Master Company of the Army Reserves, was activated and deployed to Saudi Arabia. Many men and women, from Marion, served in the Persian Gulf War.

(Continue West, left as you face the parking lot). War Animal Monument

War Animal Monument (Dedicated in 2019)
On hand at the dedication were the local K-9 units of the Marion County Sheriff and Police Departments.
This monument honors the animals that have served our country in times of war and in local law enforcement. Not only were K-9s (dogs) used, but horses, mules, dolphins, pigeons, oxen, etc. were used.

(continue west) Revolutionary War Monument.

Revolutionary War Monument (Dedicated on July 4th 1991)
It took two years to raise the money for this monument. The cost was $30,000. The setting consists of 13 Monuments representing the thirteen original colonies, and one central header monument.

Although Marion and Ohio were not in existence at the time of our nation’s founding, many Revolutionary Veterans settled here when Marion came into existence, in the early 1820s. At the Soldiers and Sailors Chapel and Memorial, in the Marion Cemetery, names of many of these veterans are listed on the inside walls. The Soldiers and Sailors Chapel and Memorial is only open for the public on Memorial Day each year.

(continue back to the east; past the Freedom Shrine) Women’s Monument

Women’s Monument (Dedicated in 1985)
This monument has the distinction of being the “First Monument in the United States to Honor All Women who served in the US Armed Forces.” Three of our Park Committee ladies designed this monument.

Many women from Marion served in both the armed forces and the support services (Red Cross, Salvation Army, Y. M. C. A. centers etc.) Marion even has a woman on the World War One Honor Roll, Molly McMahon.

(continue East, straight toward the intersection of Delaware Ave & Vernon Heights Blvd.) Korean War Monument

Korean War Monument (Dedicated in November 1983)
This monument is called “Winter Storm”, it represents the rugged nature of Korea. This was the 1st or 2nd monument in the nation dedicated to the Korean War. The stone is 15 tons and cost $10,000. Money was raised by selling name plaques to put in sidewalks. After all this time, it is still hard for some to say, in 1983, a small check was received and a note saying, “hope this helps, it’s in memory of our only child – a son killed in Korea.”

(Continue East then South, on the sidewalk along Delaware Avenue, towards the main flagpole)

Honor Rolls (Dedicated on July 4, 1984)
These monuments honor all Marion County service people who died during war years. In 1998 lightning struck the main flagpole and traveled down the pole to the concrete star which exploded. It has since been replaced.
The Honor Rolls include:
One Medal of Honor Recipient – PFC Joe Nishimoto, US Army, 442nd Regimental Combat Team (World War Two).

One Women – Mary “Molly” McMahon, United States Army Nurses Corp., died of influenza 1918, (World War One).

Brothers – Five pairs of brothers are on the World War Two Honor Roll and one pair that spans the World War One & World War Two Honor Rolls.

Three Marion Men – Homer R. Dutt, William Wilson, Jr. & Charles W. Zwolle, all died on the sinking of the Arisan Maru, a Japanese Hell Ship.

Other names on the Honor Rolls may be looked up on the Home Page under “Rolls of Honor.”

(Continue West up the hill, to the fork in the sidewalk)

Vietnam War Monument (Dedicated on July 4, 1984)
This is the “First Privately Owned Vietnam Monument, East of the Mississippi.”
Note: Be sure to look on the back of the monument.

(Continue South on the sidewalk)

The Freedom Tree (Dedicated in 1984)
This tree is to honor all American POWs/MIAs. A Red Oak and a plaque honoring Commander Bruce A. Nystrom, a navy pilot who was shot down over Vietnam. Nystrom’s wife, the late Nancy Nystrom, was active in the League of Families of POW/MIAs. She sent the plaque and money for the Red Oak Tree.
Note: There is a duplicate monument, oak tree with a duplicate plaque, at the Cecil Commerce Center (formerly Cecil Field Naval Air Station), Jacksonville, Florida. This is where Capt. Nystrom was deployed from to the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42).

(Continue South)

Spanish American War (Dedicated in 1985)
The plaque was struck from the propeller blades of the USS Maine. The USS Maine was sunk in the Havana Harbor. This was the trigger for the U. S. entering into war with Spain. Years later, it was discovered that the Maine was not attacked, the ammunition below deck had exploded.
Four from Marion’s G Company died in service during the war. All died of disease. The names of all four are on a memorial dedicated to the Fourth Ohio Infantry, in Guyama, Puerto Rico.

(Continue South)

Civil War Monument (Dedicated in 1987)
When this monument was dedicated the grounds were too wet. The dedication ceremony was held in the parking lot, where the monument sat, still in crates.
This was the first war that Marion would organize companies and send individuals to war. Several companies were formed in Marion and men would enlist in units being organized in surrounding counties.

Among those organizing companies was James H. Godman. Godman later had attained the rank of General and served in the 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, after the war he served in both the State House of Representatives and the State Senate.

Medal of Honor Recipient – William Brown Mayes

(Continue South)

Mexican War ( Dedicated on July 4, 1988)
The head monument designer, at Rock of Ages, is from Italy and he designed this monument. Veterans of the Mexican War later settled in Marion, one was Captain Albert H. Brown. Capt. Brown later organized a company in Marion for service in the Civil War.
Note: Be sure to look at the back of this Monument.

(Continue South)

War of 1812 (Dedicated July 4, 1988)
Again, as Marion was not yet a recognized county, no veterans would have come from Marion. But, later veterans of the war would settle here and become residents.
Note: Marion county was created in 1820 and later organized in 1824.

This may be a good time to take a seat on one of the benches.

Benches
There are thirteen benches throughout the park. These benches recognize special donors to the park. Please take time to note their contribution to the memory of our veterans.

(Return back to the North, past the Vietnam Monument towards the Doughboy Statue)

National Guard Memorial
This memorial is to remember all those who served in the Ohio National Guard. The
National Guard dates back to the local militias of the civil war. Local militias or companies were formed to join into regiments of the state volunteers.
Later local militias were organized locally during times of peace to be used for state emergencies. Marion had local companies; G Company, that served with the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish American War; D Company later served during the Border Campaign and in World War One. D Company was mustered into Federal service with the Fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guard. D Company continued to be in Marion until post World War Two. Marion continued to have National guard units organized and operating in the county until the 1990s. Currently there are no National Guard or Army Reserve units in Marion County.

(Continue North)

The “Doughboy” (Dedicated in 1936)

The Doughboy pre-dates the Veterans Memorial Park. The iconic Viquesney’s “The Spirit of the American Doughboy” statue was the first statue in the park.
The “Doughboy” represents the veterans of World War One. The “Doughboy” was first donated by the Captain W. M. Hendricks Chapter, Daughters of American Revolution in 1936. It is a cast zinc statue designed by E. M. Viquesney. To date the Marion Doughboy has been restored three times. This “Doughboy” was moved in December 2022, to Heritage Hall. Weather was again taking a toll on the condition of the statue.

On 13 December 2022, a bronze replica of the statue was returned to the park. It is cast of bronze and will stand up to the weather much better than the zinc version. This new statue is replicated to the details of the original Viquesney’s “The Spirit of the American Doughboy.”
You may also note that he is holding a rifle with bayonet. The bayonet had been a missing feature of the park’s original for many years. Be sure to walk around the statue to see all the detail.

Note: The original Doughboy in this park was holding a real Springfield Rifle. The rifle will also be held at Heritage Hall.

(Behind you)

POW/MIA Eternal Light (Dedicated November 11, 2005, Veterans Day)
This floor monument was a long time in coming to the park. There are many Prisoners of War who resided in Marion after the wars. This Monument remembers the trials they went through before be repatriated. Also, there are many Missing in Action from the various wars. Many were from the Korean War, yet some of the remains have been recovered recently and one has been identified and reinterred in Arlington National Cemetery, PFC Karl L. Dye, in 2018.

(Continue North)

World War Two Monument (Dedicated in 1983)
Rock of Ages cut the main column three time before they got one perfect for this monument. This is one of the tallest monuments in the park. This war produced the most veterans of the wars and also the highest casualties. It was during this war that women began to be allowed to serve in much higher numbers.

(Continue North)

Global War on Terror Monument (Dedicated November 11, 2005)
This monument was designed by local veteran and Marion resident, Staff Sergeant Dan Damron. SSgt. Damron is a veteran of both the Persian Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism. Also, since the Honor Rolls had been completed, a casualty of the War on Terror, Shannon M. Smith, is honored on the monument’s left base. It is hoped that this will be the last war monument added to the park.

Indian Wars
Although there is no monument to the Indian Wars, Marion did produce another Medal of Honor Recipient – Edward Clay Sharpless.

You have completed the tour of Veterans Memorial Park. Please reflect on the sacrifice given by so many Marion residents. And feel free to revisit the park to give honor to our veterans.