Documenting the American South

Monument Name

Veterans Memorial, Bessemer City

Type

War Memorial

Subjects

World War I

World War II

Other Wars

Iraq War, 2003-2011

Vietnam War, 1960-1975

Korean War, 1950-1953

Afghanistan War, 2001-2021

City

Bessemer City

County

Gaston

Description

The memorial is in the shape of a tombstone with a rounded top on a single base standing four feet tall and made of granite. It has inscriptions on both sides and the American War Mothers logo appears on the front. Originally dedicated in 1956 to honor World War One, World War Two and Korean War veterans, it was rededicated in 1992 with additional inscriptions. Since the 1992 rededication, other wars have also been added. The rear inscription is thought to be the original one from 1956.

Images: Rear view

Inscription

Front: MEMORIAL / TO THOSE WHO DIED FOR PEACE / AND FREEDOM OF OUR NATION / IN WORLD WAR ONE, TWO, AND / THE KOREAN WAR, VIETNAM, / GRANADA, PANAMA, AND / DESERT STORM. / IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN / ERECTED BY BESSEMER CITY / CHAPTER AMERICAN WAR MOTHERS / MAY 13, 1956 / REDEDICATED MAY 25, 1992 BY / AMERICAN LEGION POST 243

Rear: VETERANS / WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED / FORCES OF WORLD WAR ONE, TWO, AND THE KOREAN WAR. / ERECTED BY BESSEMER CITY / CHAPTER AMERICAN WAR MOTHERS / MAY 13, 1956

Custodian

Bessemer City Memorial Cemetery

Dedication Date

May 13, 1956. Rededication: May 25, 1992

Decade

1950s

Geographic Coordinates

35.292780 , -81.284090 View in Geobrowse

Supporting Sources

Smith, June. “Memorial Rites Sponsored by American War Mothers,” The Gastonia Gazette (Gastonia, NC), May 14, 1956

Smith, June. “Memorial Rites to Honor Vets, Mothers,” The Gastonia Gazette (Gastonia, NC), July 25, 1957

Public Site

Yes

Materials & Techniques

Granite

Sponsors

1956: American War Mothers. 1992: American Legion Post 243

Monument Dedication and Unveiling

The 1956 ceremony was to dedicate the War Mothers Memorial Garden located at the entrance to Bessemer City Cemetery and unveil the Veterans Memorial. The Reverend Howard A. Schrum, pastor of Bingham Baptist Church, was the dedication speaker for the ceremony held on Mother’s Day. His speech honored mothers for what they had given through their sons and daughters, service to their country and by honoring the dead that they had not died in vain. “There Is No Death” was sung as the memorial was unveiled by several of the War Mothers. As the ceremony ended, the American Legion gave a three volley salute and “taps” was played. The band played softly, “The Day Is Dying In The West” as the crowd dispersed.

Location

Bessemer City Memorial Cemetery is at the end of N. 13th Street. A single narrow drive leads into the cemetery. The marker is on the left near the end of the driveway in the War Mothers Memorial Garden. Across the driveway are memorials to two police officers who died in the line of duty.

Landscape

The memorial is surrounded by tombstones and stands in a wooded area of the Memorial Cemetery.

Rededicated

Yes