Iredell County War Dead Memorial, Statesville
The Iredell County War Dead Memorial consists of a four piece central shaft topped with a large bronze spread-winged eagle. The top two stones in the shaft step down in size to form the eagle’s pedestal. The top stone is fluted. On the second stone down is a garland held by two ribbons carved in relief. The third stone has a single star above crossed, furled, United States flags with the United States shield centered over their poles. The tallest, plinth stone, holds the inscription. The central shaft is flanked by concave top wings. Each wing has a single outside post with a wreath carved in relief. Two staggered height posts connect the wings to the central shaft. The shorter posts have a straight blade sword carved in relief. The taller posts are fluted with a star at the top. The monument stands on a double base and is made of Winnsboro blue granite. Newspapers note that the marker memorializes 19 men from the Spanish-American War, 114 men form World War One and 167 men from World War Two who died in service. However these three commemorated wars are not denoted on the memorial.
Images:
Inscription
IREDELL COUNTY / HONORS HER DEAD. THEY / BROUGHT NEW GLORY TO / AMERICA ON FAR FLUNG / BATTLE FIELDS OF THE EARTH. / SAILING THE SEVEN SEAS / IN DEFENSE OF THE LAND / THEY LOVED. THEY REST HERE. / FOR THEM THE WAR DRUM / THROBS NO LONGER AND / THE BATTLE FLAG IS FURLED. / THE MEMORY OF THEIR / HEROIC DEEDS IS OUR HOPE / THAT MEN AND WOMEN MAY / LIVE HEROICALLY IN THE / YEARS TO COME. WE / CHERISH IT.
City of Statesville
November 11, 1948
35.790760 , -80.873200 View in Geobrowse
“Iredell County’s Memorial Marker,” Statesville Record and Landmark (Statesville, NC), November 11, 1948, 6
“Monument to War Dead In 3 Wars Dedicated,” Statesville Record and Landmark (Statesville, NC), November 11, 1948, 1, 5
Yes
Winnsboro blue granite
Iredell County and City of Statesville
The City Band performed a patriotic concert prior to the dedication ceremony that began at 11 o’clock. A long list of presentations and acceptances from city and county dignitaries and members of veterans’ organizations preceded the primary Memorial Day address by Dr. J.H. Pressly, First Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church. The memorial was unveiled by Ernest Brewer, Jr., whose father and uncle died in combat during World War II.
The memorial can be found in the Oakwood Cemetery, on Patriot Lane. The cemetery address is 114 North Oakwood Drive in Statesville, NC 28677.
The memorial is surrounded by tombstones and grave markers in an open lawn of the cemetery.
Veterans’ organizations hold a wreath laying ceremony at the monument each Memorial Day.