Highland Park in Endwell in Broome County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Meaning of the Memorial

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 29, 2025

1. The Meaning of the Memorial

Inscription.
On August 16, 1947, the employees of IBM Plant #1 paused to pay tribute to their 57 fellow employees who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country during the years of 1941-1946. Originally unveiled by Mr. Thomas J. Watson, Sr., the monument was designed by Earl Richardson and built by Louis Lertola, both employees of the Vermont Marble Company of Proctor, Vermont. It is constructed of imperial danby marble from a copyright design and was the first of its kind to be erected as a memorial to veterans who gave their lives in World War II. The base of the monument is four steps symbolizing the four freedoms and a ledger stone with an inscription of the four freedoms:

FREEDOM OF SPEECH • FREEDOM FROM WANT
FREEDOM OF RELIGION • FREEDOM FROM FEAR

There is also a stone inscribed with the names of the honored men. Rising from the base is an eagle capped shaft. The front of the monument is carved with a crusader's sword and an olive branch symbolic of peace.

Erected by IBM Corporation and the Hamlet of Endwell.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is August 16, 1947.

Location.

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42° 7.615′ N, 76° 1.745′ W. Marker is in Endwell, New York, in Broome County. It is in Highland Park. It can be reached from Hooper Road. Monument and marker are in the traffic circle median just north of the Highland Park pool. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 Hooper Road, Endicott NY 13760, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Upstate New York

and in the Southern Tier.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: IBM Plant #1 World War II Memorial Relocation (here, next to this marker); IBM Plant #1 World War II Memorial (here, next to this marker); World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frank "Abe" Macek (about 400 feet away); Dr. Robert S. Glendening (about 400 feet away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Carmel Grove (approx. one mile away); Patriot Burials (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Endwell.

Also see . . . IBM Endicott Memorial Day: August 16, 1947. Has a copy of the dedication booklet (Submitted on August 30, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

The Meaning of the Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 29, 2025

2. The Meaning of the Memorial Marker

Right marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.