When one man found 752 cast bronze disks in Soldier’s Memorial, he had no idea the years of effort involved to turn the forgotten artifacts into a memorial at Jefferson Barracks.
Seventeen years ago, Frank “Skip” Berger made an interesting discovery in the lower level of Soldiers’ Memorial in downtown St. Louis.
Fifteen unmarked barrels filled with 752 cast bronze disks stood in the dust. Each disk bore the name and military information of a St. Louis service member who lost his or her life while serving in World War I. The serendipitous find began a chain reaction of activity that would impress even professional historians.
The American Gold Star Mothers, a group who wished to honor their fallen sons and daughters, commissioned the markers, cast at a local foundry in the 1920s.
Berger is a member of the Rollo-Calcaterra American Legion Post 15 and the group began an extensive research and restoration mission.
The effort will come to fruition Sept. 30 at 1:30 p.m. when Post 15 will dedicate the World War I Court of Honor Memorial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
The Post preserved 752 of the 1,185 gold star medallions. They worked in conjunction with the Jefferson Barracks Chapel Association, the National Cemetery Association, the Veterans Administration and the St. Louis Economic Council.
The Port Authority, under the economic council, awarded the group $250,000 for the memorial, and construction started in May.
via WWI Memorial Complete After Buried Treasure Discovery – Mehlville-Oakville, MO Patch.
Web Site: WW1 Court of Honor Project – Lest We Forget
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Color Guard from Rolla-Calcaterra American Legion Post #51
.jpg "Color Guard - Start of the Ceremony & Unveiling of Monument")
Color Guard – Start of the Ceremony & Unveiling of Monument
.jpg "Skip Berger - Adjutant, American Legion Post #15 and Master Of Ceremonies")
Skip Berger – Adjutant, American Legion Post #15 and Master Of Ceremonies
Pledge Of Allegiance
Singing of the National Anthem
Rev. Darrel Curtis – Chaplain 11 & 12 District American Legion
David Grayson – Commander, Rollo_Calcaterra American Legion Post
Charlie Dooley – St Louis County Executive
Al Katzenberger – Jefferson Barracks Chapel Association
Greta Hamilton – Military Director Intern, Jefferson Barracks Cemetery
Steve Muro – Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, VA National Cemetery Administration
WW1 Memorial | Gold Star Mothers | Gold Star Court of Honor
Bob Winters – OWH Arhitects, Designer of the Memorial
Mary Jame Kiepe – Past National President of Gold Star Mothers, 2007 & 2008
Julie Vinnedge – Gold Star Mother
WW1 Memorial with the Gold Star Court Of Honor Plaques
Gold Star Court of Honor bronze plaques on WW1 Memorial
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