THE DOUGHBOY
I don’t know how I
was lucky enough to live in a town with a “Doughboy Statue” when I was young. I
did know I was proud of it although I really did not know a lot about it. One
thing I do recall is that if anyone asked about it they usually were told, “Oh
that is our Doughboy Statue.” Then we could show them the plaque with the names
of those who lost their lives in World War I. Later the names of those lost in
World War II were added. There also was a plaque added after “The Doughboy” was
moved, to honor our servicemen from Korea and Vietnam.
I have done a
little research on the “Doughboy” and the information I found says there were
only about 150 of the actual full size “The Spirit of the American Doughboy”
statues made. It was originally designed by E. M. Viquesney. As far as I can
find out the statue in Hiawatha was made or placed in Hiawatha in May 1922.
Since the statue
was located near the town amusement hall, the confectionary and the bowling
alley, in Hiawatha, it was readily available to play on the base which was
surrounded by cement pillars and large link chains. During the winter it made a
good place to toss a few “snowball’ Hand Grenades” Just like the soldier on the
statue was doing.
During the
Christmas Holiday there were usually a Christmas Tree and lights on the pad
with the “Doughboy” which was an attraction in town.
When the troops
started coming home from World War II the “Doughboy” seemed, at least to me, to
take on more meaning. As I said earlier I am not sure I really had a serious
patriotic feeling about it until I came home from my stint in the U.S. Air
Force in 1954.
When the town of
Hiawatha was going to be decommissioned there was quite a bit of talk about
what would happen to the “Doughboy.
There is a plaque
attached to the base of the statue that explains how it ended up in Price,
Utah: This statue was erected in
Hiawatha, Utah by the Henry Holdsworth Post #15 of the American Legion May
1922, to honor five men from Hiawatha who died in World War I. In June 1948
eight names were added for those killed in World War II. In 1989 through the
efforts and sole expense of American Legion Price Post #3, this statue was
graciously donated to Price City by the mayor and town; council of Hiawatha, Utah. The
“Doughboy” now stands in the Peace Garden in Price, Utah.
In 2004 some person
or persons vandalized the “Doughboy” while it stood in the Peace Garden in
Price. There were many comments in the whole State of Utah and especially by
people with ties to Hiawatha and Price. I also am sure the vandals had no idea
what a hornets’ nest they had stirred up when they broke parts from the statue,
for what I guess they thought was a thrill.
Mario DiCaro sent an eloquent letter to the editor of The Sun Advocate at the time.
The statue was repaired and rededicated and
again stands in the Peace Garden where I hope he spends many happy years and
provides many years of memories.
There are many write
ups about the “Doughboy” on the Internet:
The Sun Advocate also has articles in its archives.
The pictures were either taken by me or given to me by
friends.
Wally Baldwin May 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment