The Coolidge examiner., 1934-05-25


all over the nation after the
Civil war. perhaps he was quite right. both NOR
ally and esihetically. In Withholding the support
OF bis money. But II II proposed 10 erect
a memorial OF the kind that several states have
built TO honor the memory OF their World war
heroes since 1919. then perhaps his refusal ls
open 20 criticism
A contributor 10 the columns OF the New York
Tines commenting on the words OF the philan-
thropist quoted above. pointed out that In mem
CRY OF the men who went through the scourge
OF devastating IRE In France. there now exists In
one American state a magnificent hospital. In
another n school In another auditorium. In
another a shrine" all OF which owe their con-
s;ructlon 20 the spirit OF dedication. the desire
90 perpetuate the memory OF the dead. as the
dead themselves would have it-not In cold
stones but in some vital and insplraiional con-
tribution 20 the living"
The shrine 10 which he refers IL In Indiana
where the project for honoring the memory OF
her dead heroes consists OF a series OF splendid
buildings grouped around a massive temple
which stands In the center OF a plaza that is
spread down like a long strip OF carpet Eve
blocks long and one block wide through the
center of her state capital indianapolis
Nine years ago In 1895. the FIRST unit OF the
memorial structure erected as the home for
the national organization OF the American Le-
gion. The fact that the nationwide activities OF
this organization are ceniered here Is another
reason why this memorial is more than Just a
state project but Instead Is one that has a spe-
cial interest for thousands Of Legionnslres In
every part Of the country.
The American Legion building. situated near
the northwest corner OF the Plaza, a magnIh-
Gently plain structure finished In Indiana lime
stone. Is OF Greek architecture and OF hreproof
construction II contains four floors and a large
sub-basement and houses both the national and
state organizations OF the American Legion and
their auxiliarles- Space has been provided near
the northeas; corner OF the Plaza for a COM
paniol building TO be erected at some future
time
In a sunken garden Immediately TO the east OF
the Legion building Is Indiana's tribute 10 her
war dead and known as Cenotaph square. On a
floor OF red and dark green granite sits the
CenotRph OF black granite. On the north and
south sides OF this tomb is the following inscrip-
don: "a tribute by Indiana 10 the hallowed
memory OF the Glorious Dead who served In the
World War" On the north side Of the Ceno-
taph In the floor is bronze plaque with the
following inscription: In Memoriam. James
Bethel Gresham, OF Evansville Indiana Corporal
Co. F. 10th Inf. 1st Division. AEF Killed at
BesheIemont. France. Nov. 3, 1917. First member
OF American ExpedItionary Force TO lose his
Me in action in the World War; 1917-191s"
At he four corners are majestic columns also
~ hack granite surmounted by eagles OF gold.
rh. base is surrounded by grass with pine shrub
sery az the corners. The elm trees at the corners
CT this sunken garden and prIvet hedges at the
tops % the terraces complete the paintings Of
this area Above the garden TO the north stands
s-arsful dag pole SC feet in height, from which