Lakeland in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
“The Great War”
Veterans Memorial Park
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2022
1. “The Great War” Marker
On April 6, 1917 the United States declared war against Germany. Polk County residents responded to the call to serve with 1,845 joining the Armed Forces. The 2nd Florida Regiment from the local National Guard was consolidated with other National Guard units from the South, designated as the 124th Infantry and assigned to the 31st Division, also known as the “Dixie Division”. The division returned to the U.S. in July 1919. Robert J. Williams of Frostproof became the first soldier from Polk County to be killed in action during the war, joining sixty-four others who never came home. Casualties included three Coast Guardsmen from Davenport and Lakeland who died together when the Germans torpedoed their ship in the English Channel. Polk County’s ranks included 114 officers, including Brigadier General Albert H. Blanding, one of only 8 National Guard officers appointed to flag officer by President Woodrow Wilson. Others included Four-Star General (then Captain) James A. Van Fleet, and Governor and US Senator (then 1st Lieutenant and Judge Advocate General) Spessard L. Holland. Their service to their country would continue
this page online
Erected 2017 by Polk County and the City of Lakeland.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1917.
Location. 28° 2.408′ N, 81° 57.997′ W. Memorial is in Lakeland, Florida, in Polk County. It can be reached from Lake Beulah Drive 0.1 miles north of Lime Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the grounds of Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 141 Lake Beulah Dr, Lakeland FL 33801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Central Florida. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2022
2. “The Great War” Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: “The Greatest Generation” (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); No Longer the Forgotten War (here, next to this marker); Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm (here, next to this marker); Republic of Vietnam (a few steps from this marker); Global War on Terrorism Freedom Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 9/11 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Serving Those Who Served (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lakeland.
Also see . . . Veterans Memorial Park. (Submitted on March 14, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed by Dave W, March 24, 2023
3. “The Great War” Marker
Photographed by Dave W, March 24, 2023
4. “The Great War” Marker
Marker seen here on right
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2022
5. Dedication/Contribution Plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 598 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on July 26, 2025, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 14, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on April 2, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 5. submitted on March 14, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
