The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
Photo: Jennifer Goldsmith Ho.
MARION, OHIO
N 40° 34.423 / W 083° 07.495
Copyright version 1934, cast zinc.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260080.
Copyright version 1934, cast zinc.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260080.
In Veterans Park at McKinley Park Boulevard and Delaware Avenue, across the street from the President Harding Memorial.
The plaque on the front of the base reads:
LEST WE FORGET
THOSE FROM MARION COUNTY WHO
ANSWERED THEIR COUNTRY’S CALL
IN THE WORLD WAR
APRIL 6, 1917 TO NOVEMBER 11, 1918
OUR BOYS
PLACED BY CAPTAIN WM. HENDRICKS CHAPTER D. A. R.
LEST WE FORGET
THOSE FROM MARION COUNTY WHO
ANSWERED THEIR COUNTRY’S CALL
IN THE WORLD WAR
APRIL 6, 1917 TO NOVEMBER 11, 1918
OUR BOYS
PLACED BY CAPTAIN WM. HENDRICKS CHAPTER D. A. R.
A plaque on the ground in front of the base contains an engraving "IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF" several named local organizations, and also contains the names of some individuals who evidently lost their lives during the war.
The Doughboy was dedicated November 11, 1936. Before its dedication, the doughboy was first placed along Delaware Pike opposite the Harding Memorial in 1932, according to local Daughters of the American Revolution records. The primary plaque had been dedicated October 3, 1933 on a 35 ton boulder located on North Lee Street, just off of West Fairground Street. The boulder was moved to the current location on skids pulled by three trucks.
In 1966 and 1967, vandals twice tore the sculpture loose from the base, causing it to lean severely. Repairs were made each time and the Doughboy was rededicated September 10, 1967. A 50th anniversary celebration was held July 4, 1986.
A major restoration project was conducted in 1993 by Karkadoulias Bronze Art of Cincinnati, and the Doughboy was again rededicated July 4, 1993. Except for the missing rifle sling and bayonet, the sculpture appears to be in good condition.
Several veteran, patriotic, civic, youth and other organizations, particularly the D. A. R., have participated in the maintenance of the Doughboy and in dedication/rededication ceremonies through the years.
In February 2008, the statue was taken indoors for restoration by Columbus Art Memorial, Inc. It was returned to its base on May 22, 2008, in time for Memorial Day. A rededication ceremony was held July 4, 2008.
In 2010 the statue was again sent to Columbus for more restoration work and again returned to its base in time for Memorial Day.
In 1966 and 1967, vandals twice tore the sculpture loose from the base, causing it to lean severely. Repairs were made each time and the Doughboy was rededicated September 10, 1967. A 50th anniversary celebration was held July 4, 1986.
A major restoration project was conducted in 1993 by Karkadoulias Bronze Art of Cincinnati, and the Doughboy was again rededicated July 4, 1993. Except for the missing rifle sling and bayonet, the sculpture appears to be in good condition.
Several veteran, patriotic, civic, youth and other organizations, particularly the D. A. R., have participated in the maintenance of the Doughboy and in dedication/rededication ceremonies through the years.
In February 2008, the statue was taken indoors for restoration by Columbus Art Memorial, Inc. It was returned to its base on May 22, 2008, in time for Memorial Day. A rededication ceremony was held July 4, 2008.
In 2010 the statue was again sent to Columbus for more restoration work and again returned to its base in time for Memorial Day.
Photo: Jennifer Goldsmith Ho.
There are two reasons for including this picture. First, it shows a miniature Doughboy on display in a glass case near the Marion Doughboy in 1998.
The card by the Doughboy reads:
IN MEMORY OF
PAUL WORDEN & HELEN WORDEN WILLY
DONATED BY THEIR SON AND DAUGHTER
DICK WORDEN
&
LINDA NEWELL
A framed letter signed by President Ronald Reagan is on the wall in the case.
IN MEMORY OF
PAUL WORDEN & HELEN WORDEN WILLY
DONATED BY THEIR SON AND DAUGHTER
DICK WORDEN
&
LINDA NEWELL
A framed letter signed by President Ronald Reagan is on the wall in the case.
The second (maybe tied for first) reason is the reflections in the glass window. They are of my daughter, Jennifer Goldsmith Ho, who was taking the picture, and her two younger children, Sam and Sydney. The same three are shown with me in the picture taken at the Axtell, Kansas Doughboy when the children, like all of us, were three years older.
