As Burr Oak prepares for its 150th Celebration of its founding next year, one of the town's monuments will celebrating its 90th year of honoring American's veterans.
This memorial monument was placed at the front entrance to the Burr Oak Cemetery 89 years ago . A dedication was held that Memorial Day during the annual Decoration Day service. The project to acquire this stately stone monument did not come easy at a time where the community was facing one of the hardest challenges in history. It began on March 1931 in the middle of the Great Depression when the Burr Oak Community banded together and decided that a lasting memorial needed to be placed at the town's cemetery. This memorial was to be made in honor of the soldiers and heroes of all wars. As stated in the Burr Oak Herald newspaper during that time, "This will be for our children, our children's children, of our reverence and honor of those who made and preserved us a nation."
The Burr Oak American Legion and Auxiliary sponsored a fund drive. Dr. M.P. Schlaefgel, Mrs. M.H. Callahan and Mrs. J.H. Abel were chosen officers for the project. Having grand plans for the monument, yet still knowing the hard financial times, it was decided the size would depend on the contributions received. A collection chest for the donations was on display in a window at one of the stores in town. Names of those donating were placed on an honor roll. Burr Oak businesses offered specials on purchases for those donating. The Thompson-Abel general store donated 10 percent of all cash sales of footwear, men's shirts and suits towards the project. The rural community was canvassed for donations. The fund drive ended April 15 and in less of a month's time - a time when money was short to come by - $1,000 was raised. In today's time, that would be almost $16,000. The community had come through.
The granite monument 2.5 by 4.5 feet and 11 feet tall was ordered from Baldwin Monument Company, Belleville. It has a bronze tablet bearing the inscription, "In memory of the illustrious dead and in honor of our living heroes who defended us in all the wars." A bronze eagle tops the monument.
On Decoration Day, May 31, 1931, 2,500 people were present to witness the monument's unveiling and dedication. The Rev. Ira Wagoner, pastor at the Olive Hill Church, gave the address. Tributes were given by Mrs. M.R. Wood Custer, R.R. Hansen and F.E. Liedloff. Doing the unveiling were Earl Wilsman, Ed DeTour and Roy Overgard. The Burr Oak Band played patriotic music. Geneva Stanton, who would later become Geneva Garman, and Max O'Brien closed the ceremony with the playing of taps.
So for almost 90 years, this special memorial monument, made possible by dedication and gifting from the community, is the focal point where the annual Memorial Day services are still held. It is towards this monument where the Legion guard marches and stands at attention, and it is on this monument where auxiliary and junior auxiliary members place their memorial flower wreaths.
The words out of The Rev. Wagoner's address ring out yet today, "What is the meaning of these stones? What sentiment is wrapped in this bronze and stone? It represents the same respect of genius, heroism and sacrifice. These things abide. Our children will far surpass, discredit and improve the material things of today, but the sentiment expressed on this and like monuments will never be antedated."
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