Kansas City Missouri
As a part of the groups tour commemorating the Mexican Punitive Expedition in March 2006 a visit to the Liberty memorial in Kansas City was a must. Once again the hospitality shown to the group by the curators and staff of the memorial was overwhelming. As a mark of respect the group presented the memorial with a copy of the painting presented to the citizens of Columbus NM. depicting Doughboys and Villistas.
As supporters of the Memorial, Pershings' Doughboys have purchased a brick to form part of the memorials "Walk of Honor". The brick was placed in the sixth series of the program during a Memorial Day Ceremony on May 29th 2006.
The Walk of Honor certificate, pictured right, reads:
to those who served in the Great War,
that inspired the creation of the Liberty Memorial.
Similar gratitude and appreciation is extended
to you for keeping their memory alive.
A granite brick has been reserved for you in the Liberty Memorial
Walk of Honor
It will become a permanent part of the restored
memorial and expanded museum site.
The inscription on this 4" x 8" brick will forever read:
PERSHINGS
DOUGHBOYS WW1
GROUP (ENGLAND)
Willard B. Snyder, President, Liberty Memorial Association.
The group encourages anyone with an interest in the Great War and the American Expeditionary Force to make a pilgrimage to the memorial as the monumental architecture and the artifacts on display are superb.
In November 2006 the memorial will 're-open' following a multi-million dollar re fit with new, exciting and educational exhibits that bring to life the history of the Doughboy and his contribution to the allied victory over Imperial Germany in 1918.
The following facts and information are reproduced (with some minor edits) from "The Liberty Memorial Fact Sheet" available at the memorial.
"The Liberty Memorial, completed in 1926, was built in honor of those who served in the World War in the defence of liberty and the United States of America. It serves as the only public museum in the U.S. specifically dedicated to the history of World War I. The Liberty Memorial Museum has one of the largest and most important collections of WWI (1914-1918) materials in the world.
Constructed over a three and one-half year span, it was dedicated on November 11, 1926. The memorial is strategically sited on top of a hill overlooking downtown Kansas City, Union Station, and the surrounding business-cultural district. H. Van Buren Magonigle designed the original complex in an Egyptian Revival style. In 1994, due to structural and material deterioration, the site was closed. Following extensive restoration to preserve the style and character of the original complex, the Liberty Memorial was re-opened on May 25, 2002."
Memorial Complex Elements
"The Memorial Tower rises 217 feet (66 metres)above the surrounding observation deck and 268 feet above the north lawn. The cylindrical tower is 36 feet in diameter at its base tapering to 28 feet at the top. An elevator is located within the shaft to transport visitors to the observation deck at the top. The current elevator was installed during the recent restoration, but the tower was originally designed with an elevator. At the top of the tower, steam and accent lighting produce a "flame effect" that can be seen for miles at night. Near the top of the shaft are carved four stone guarding spirits. Sculpted by Robert Aitkin, Honor, Courage, Patriotism, and Sacrifice are each more than 40 feet high.
The Sphinxes are located at the south stairs and guard the approach to the memorial. Each is clad in limestone and is 12 feet long by 15 feet wide and 15 feet high. Facing east, Memory, has its wings shielding its face from the horrors of the battlefields of Europe. Future, facing west, has its wings shrouding its face to the symbolic unseen future.
Memory Hall and Exhibit Hall flank the tower on the observation deck. The two
buildings, designed to resemble ancient temples, are 46 feet wide by 93 feet long. The
entrance to the buildings is from the observation deck past two large urns and through a narrow, two story
high portico. The east building, memory Hall, contains wall-mounted murals, battle maps, and
bronze memorial tablets that contain the names of the 441 Kansas Citizens who died during
the Great War. Exhibit Hall, the west building, contains museum exhibits and a small, film
theatre.
The Great Frieze is carved into the limestone of the North Wall. The entire north wall
is 48 feet in height and 488 feet in length. It was sculpted by Edmund Amateis and depicts
the progress from war to peace.
The Fountain Court and Stairways beneath the north wall tie the complex to the
north lawn. Two fountains are located on either side of a flight of stairs and consist of
spray rings and cascading sheets of water.
The Site Dedication Wall is located at the northern edge of the site near
Pershing Road. The stonewall holds the bronze busts of the five Allied leaders present during
the site dedication on November 1st, 1921. They depict:
- Gen. Baron Jacques of Belgium
- Gen. Armando Diaz of Italy
- Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France
- Gen. John J. Pershing of the U.S.
- Sir Admiral Earl David Beatty of Great Britain
The Memorial Mall is located to the south of the memorial itself and serves as the main entrance to the complex. The quarter mile long approach drive, separated by a level grassy area, is lined by a double row of formally planted Sugar Maple trees.
