Charleston in Kanawha County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
West Virginia Veterans Memorial
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 31, 2021
Dedicated to the men and women of West Virginia who died in the defense of freedom and all who served in its cause during the 20th century.
Mecot Camara • David Cosner • Russell Cyzick • Timothy Dunnigan • Marion Kees
Panama - 1989
Kenneth D. Scott
Desert Storm - 1991
Joseph G. Kime • Reuben G. Kirk III • Victor T. Lake Jr.
Iraq - 1994
John W. Garrett Jr.
Saudi Arabia - 1996
Christopher B. Lester
Erected 1995 by State of West Virginia.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military.
Location. 38° 20.317′ N, 81° 36.777′ W. Marker is in Charleston, West Virginia, in Kanawha County. Memorial is at the intersection of Greenbrier Street (U.S. 60) and Washington Street East (U.S. 60), on the right when traveling north on Greenbrier Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charleston WV 25311, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. West Virginia 20th Century Congressional Medal of Honor Awards (here, next to this marker); Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); West Virginia's Female Veteran (within shouting distance of this marker); "The West Virginia Coal Miner" (within shouting distance of this marker); 1st Marine Division United States Marine Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Semper Fidelis (within shouting distance of this marker); State Capitol (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1819 - 1853 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
More about this memorial. Sculptor P. Joseph Mullens’ entry won the design competition and he was awarded the contract to erect this memorial, which was unveiled in 1999. He is the sculptor of the four bronze figures.
Also see . . .
1. West Virginia Veterans Memorial page at WV Archives and Culture. Excerpt:
Begun as a privately funded undertaking, the Veterans Memorial Commission spearheaded these efforts as it undertook compiling the names to be honored on the Memorial. After the official groundbreaking ceremony on June 22, 1990, the foundation was completed the year after and the monolith cores in 1992. Work was performed(Submitted on January 9, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)under direction of ZMM, Inc. architects and G & G Builders. The 1994 legislature provided for lottery revenues to supplement fund-raising efforts, moving the project to a more rapid completion. With installation of the final sculpture in 1999, the cost of the Memorial and data on the inscribed names approached four million dollars.Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 31, 2021
2. West Virginia Veterans Memorial Archives Database. (Submitted on January 9, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
3. Encyclopedia of West Virginia entry for P. Joseph Mullens, the designer of this monument. Excerpt:
In 1987, Mullins’s entry won the West Virginia Veterans’ Memorial design competition. Work on the $3.8 million project was completed in 1999. Mullins conducted extensive research for the memorial project. He interviewed combat veterans, read war books, traveled to Vietnam twice, and consulted with museum curators, uniform supply houses, and others. The memorial at the state capitol features four bronze figures—a World War I infantryman, a World War II sailor, a Korean airman, and a Vietnam War marine. The memorial’s black granite walls bear the names of more than 10,300 West Virginians who died in the four U.S. wars of the 20th century.(Submitted on January 9, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 31, 2021
4. West Virginia Veterans Memorial. Additional photos of the memorial (Submitted on August 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 31, 2021
Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 494 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 3, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 7. submitted on July 15, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 8. submitted on August 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of all the names of the memorial. • Can you help?