Documenting the American South

Monument Name

Duplin County Veterans Memorial, Kenansville

Type

War Memorial

Subjects

Veterans of Multiple Wars

City

Kenansville

County

Duplin

Description

The Duplin County Veterans Memorial is located on the property of the Duplin County Courthouse, directly in front of the the courthouse steps. This monument features a bronze eagle on top of a hexagonal obelisk and is approximately 7-9 feet tall. The bottom of the obelisk is formed by a six sided bronze base on which the United States seal and the five service seals are cast. The base of the monument is formed by three large, square blocks of granite of decreasing size stacked on top of one another. Two granite benches stand on the left and right side of the monument.

Inscription

Front, Base: DEDICATED IN HONOR / AND RECOGNITION OF ALL / DUPLIN COUNTY VETERANS / WHO HAVE SERVED / IN THE MANY / STRUGGLES FOR FREEDOM

Rear, Base: ERECTED BY / THE CITIZENS OF DUPLIN COUNTY / MAY 30, 1988

Custodian

City of Kenansville

Dedication Date

May 30, 1988

Decade

1980s

Geographic Coordinates

34.962550 , -77.962280 View in Geobrowse

Supporting Sources

"Duplin County Veterans Memorial," Waymarking.com, (accessed February 20, 2014). Link

“County Commissioner Meeting Minutes, April 1, 1985,” Duplin County Register of Deeds.

“County Commissioner Meeting Minutes, October 19, 1987,” Duplin County Register of Deeds.

Public Site

Yes

Materials & Techniques

Bronze Eagle, Granite Obelisk, Granite Base

Sponsors

Citizens of Duplin County

Monument Dedication and Unveiling

Sonny Sikes made the initial proposal for the dedication date at the Duplin County Board of Commissioners meeting on October 19, 1987. The date was set for May 30, 1988.

Location

The monument along with World War II, Korean War, Vietnam, and World War One Dead memorials are all located on the South Grounds of the Duplin County Courthouse in Kenansville. The courthouse address is 112 Duplin St, Kenansville, NC 28349.

Landscape

The monument stands on the lawn of the Duplin County Court House. It is surrounded by shady trees.

Approval Process

On April 1, 1985, the Duplin County Board of Commissioners supported the building of a memorial monument that would be dedicated to veterans from multiple wars. It would be located at the end of the courthouse lawn. The board sought donations for the memorial project from the citizens of the county (Duplin County, NC Register of Deeds: Book 56, Page 736). On October 19, 1987, Sonny Sikes discussed with the board the dedication date and design of the veterans memorial monument. He also requested that lights be installed around the monument so flags could be flown at night (Duplin County, NC Register of Deeds: Book 65, Page 233).