Celebrating 100 years of Lexington’s WWI Memorial
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Today marks the 106th year of Veterans Day in the United States, and 100 years of the World War One monument here in Lexington.
“As we stand in the shadow of this memorial, we renew our commitment to the ideals for which these men and women fought. We honor their memory, not just with words, but with actions that reflect the values they held dear,” Vice Commander Jessie Corbin said.
Leaders from the American Legion along with city officials, gathering to recognize the sacrifices these veterans made.
“Today let’s all take a moment to thank our veterans and those veterans in our own lives to celebrate this monument and dedicate to those who we lost in WWI,” Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton.
From those on the USS Rochester, the men on the USS Cyclops, and the historical Harlem Hellfighters in the trenches in germany who hail from right here in the state of Kentucky.
“There were 25 men from Lexington who were drafted, they served in the 93rd division, 369th infantry, known as the harlem hellfighters,” Yvonne Giles said.
The dedication and sacrifice they made during World War One helped make our country what it is today. Cicero the poet describes it best:
“Poor is the nation that has no heroes, but poorer still is the nation that having heroes fails to remember and honor them,” he said.
On this day, we remember and honor our heroes.
“Liberty started for us in 1775, liberty will continue to be here for us because of the sacrifices you made,” Giles said.
