Smyrna times., 1944-06-29
LEGION PLANS
WAR MONUMENT
Memorial Building, Monument
at Dover Approved at
State Convention
PROVIDE MUSEUM

memorial Dullulng ana monument
to be dedicated to all men and wo-
men of Delaware who served in the
first World War and all of those
now serving in this war, was ap-
proved by the twenty-sixth annual
convention of the American Le-
gion, Department of Delaware, at
its closing session at Rehoboth
Beach Saturday. Among those
from Smyrna who attended the
convention were Mr.. and Mrs.
Grant Garis, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
Burrous, DIR. and Mrs. G. R. Miller,
Jr., Mr.. and Mrs. William E. Mat
thews, Jr., Mr.. and Mrs. Clifford
Burge, Mrs. Lee Deakyne, and Mrs.
Davis H. Bell.
World Wars Memorial
The proposal for the building and
monument, to be called The Amer
ican Legion World Wars Memorial
and to cost approximately v5O0,-
600, was originated by Department
Commander W.Floyd Jackson, who
engaged G. Morris Whiteside II,
Wilmington architect, to prepare
preliminary sketches. These sketch
es, in color, were exhibited by Mr..
Jackson to a joint session of the
Legion and auxiliary, after which
Mr.. Whiteside explained details.
Near State Buildings
The tentative plans provide for
a building about 225 feet square to
be built near the state buildings at
Dover, and of a style of architec-
ture conforming with them. The
memorial buildings inner court
yard would contain a monument to
the Delaware service men and wo-
men of both wars.
Bronze Sphere
AS now contemplated, the monu-
ment would be bronze sphere
about IL feet in diameter elevated
upon white marble base. The
Sphere, showing all countries of the
world, would have marked on it all
the fronts upon which Delawareans
have served. The four sides of the
base would be devoted to commen-
Grating the services of Delawareans
who served in the Army, the Navy,
Air Force and Coast Guard. Flood
lights placed at the tops of columns
in the courtyard would illuminate
the monument at night, and would
be reflected in pool in front of
the main entrance to the court of
honor.
Museum in Building
The building would provide head
quarters, offices and meeting rooms
for the American Legion, Depart
ment of Delaware, and its auxil-
iary. Provision would be made,
also, for war museum where tro-
phies and relics of the two wars
could be kept permanently. 1t was
pointed out that no such place is
provided in the state at present.
The building would also provide
places of safe keeping for records
of posts.
To Study Details
The convention adopted a resolu-
ton approving the plan in prin-
ciple and authorizing Commander
jackson to appoint committee to
study details. This comittee is to
report to the department executive
comittee, which will, in turn, SUBJ
NIT completed plans to individual
posts for final action.
Officers Named
George w. Ayars, Dover, was
elected commander of the depart
ment at the final session. Other
officers elected were: First vice.
commander, ]. Paul Green, Whining
ton; second vice-comander, Perry
A. Reese, Smyrna; chaplain, the
Rev Andrew F. Mayer, Newark!
historian, Harold c. Whiteside, New
Castle; sergeant alarms, Herman
B. ]. Harmon, Rehoboth Beach.
William E. Matthews, Jr., Smyrna,
was elected national executive
comitteeman, and Capt. Samuel
Green, Wilmington, was named al
ternate national executive commit
teeman. Captain Green is now
abroad with the Army Air Forces.
Delegates Selected
Delegates to the national conven-
tion are: Edward A. Munich, Sher-
man L. Hutchinson, and j. Paul
Green, all of Wilmington; Mr.. Mat
thews, DR.. ]. A. Wilker, Seaford;
Department Commander w. Floyd
Jackson, and Mr.Ayars. A1ternates
named are: Inkerman Bailey and
Leo A. Waters, both of Whining
ton; A. Allyn Cooch, Jr., Newark;
George D. Hill, Dover; Marion D.
Hastings, Delmar; Walter c. Feas-
ter, Lewes, and George Ehinger,
Dover Mr.. Ayars announced the
reappointment of Mr.. Bailey as de-
partment adjutant, and William R.
Marvel as department finance Of
ficer.
Auxiliary Officers
The legion auxiliary elected Mrs.
j. Harvey Dickey, Newark, as its
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