New Britain herald., 1928-09-24

AA as she is strong. Enlighten her inso- far as she is able to understand and the guidance of God. And fill us alias citizens and a renewed vision Of true and future greatness. a vision that shall zee her enthroned as the greatest of all the nations, be- cause she shall prove herself to be indeed the friend and servant of them all.
 Hear us now. and bless this serv- ice. as we ask it all in the name of God Almighty. Amen"
 G. H. Dyson Reviews
 History of Memorial
 His Excellency, Governor Trum- bull, Mayor Paonessa, honored guests. representatives of service or ganizations and fellow citizens;
 -Four years ago. Mayor Paonessa, by authority of the common coun- cil. appointed a committee of seven for the purpose of selecting and recommending models and designs. and 10 choose a suitable site for q proposed memorial to be erected by the City of New Britain in honor of the boys who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War, and also as testimonial of New Britain's ap- preciation of the four thousand or more citizens who gave their time and services that democracy might reign. The committee selected by the mayor, to be known as the War Memorial committee. was as follows: Albert r, Corbin, Bernard F. Calf ney, Joseph C. Andrews. George T. Kimball, Arthur G. Kimball, Charles r. Smith and George H, Dyson.
 "The committee. organized and se- lected the speaker. chairman; Arthur c. Kimball, vice chairman, and Joseph c. Andrews, secretary. After several meetings of the committee we invited architects and sculptors to submit models and designs. Three sets of models were submitted for the inspection and approval of the committee, and one set of drawings. It was the unanimous opinion of the various artists who submitted de- signs and models. that the site se- lected by the committee. the sum- init of Walnut Hill. where the me morial now stands. was the ideal spot. Of the various models sub mitted, the one presented by H. Van Buren Magonigle of New York city, seemed to be the most practical in design and architecture.
 About this time the committee was increased in members by add ing to 1t members of the park board who were William F. Brooks, John Callahan and Maxwell Porter, and two members representing the vari. ous veterans organizations. Josepl Andrews, in his capacity. represented the American Legion. Edward John. son. the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Dewey o. Selander, the Disa bled War Veterans.
 All of the models submitted were placed in one of the rooms of the City Hall. and invitations were sen, to the Gold Star families and those nearest of kin. to visit the City Hal to inspect these various models and to offer suggestions as to what type of memorial should be adopted These models were on exhibition fol two days and two nights, and mem. bers of the committee were in at tendance to explain the differen types of models and to answer qucs tions. A large number of interested people were present which was yer! gratifying to the committee. Tn, mayor, the common council ant members of the city government were also invited to participate il this inspection.
 Tt was the consensus of opinion that the model submitted by H. Val Buren Magonigle should be the on to recommend to the common coun cil as the type of memorial desired The committee reported that me morial of this kind would cost, ap proximately. $1G5.OoO At a subse l quent meeting of the common coun cil the report of the memorial com mittee was accepted and the recon mendation adopted The matter. o finances was referred to the boar or finance and taxation who rec commended to the city meeting boar that the amount be raised by taxa ton, After this report it seemed t the members of the committee tha the memorial was practically as sured, but we were to receive
 knockout blow from the city meetin
 board. who by very small maiorit!
 rejected both the reports of the me morial committee and of the boar of finance and taxation.
 "The committee was not di. charged by the common council b.
 remained inactive for two years.
 Upon the election of Gardner
 Weld as mayor. the memorial con
 mittce was asked to rcorganize an
 to bring again to thc common cour
 cil suggested designs for the pro
 posed memorial. The committe
 met with Mir, Magonigle. the dt
 signer of the memorial. and ha
 several meetings with Mayor Well
 As a result of these conferences. SC,
 cral changes have been made in tf
 original plan. All in all. it is the b,
 lief of the committee that the,
 changes have made more bea utif1
 and noble the memorial which yc
 now see before you and which V
 are ahoi1t to dedicate.
 "1n September, 1926. the secor
 report of the memorial committee
 the mayor and to the common coul
 r'l was unanimously accepted ar
 the recommendation adopted. October. 1926 tho board of finan,
 and taxation recommended to il