Cairo in Ritchie County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Ritchie County Veterans Memorial

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

1. Ritchie County Veterans Memorial

Inscription.

Ritchie County Veterans Memorial. . In memory of all World War I Veterans. It was known as the Great War . . . the war to end all wars. We went "over there" to the songs and cheers of our countrymen, and marched right into the grim reality of twentieth century warfare. Poison gas, machine guns, tanks, aircraft and submarines were devastating innovations. We fought in trenches, on the sea and in the air. We helped make the world safe for democracy . . . but it was only the beginning., In memory of all World War II Veterans. This memorial is in honor of all of the World War II veterans who were involved in the fight for the freedom of America and the free world. Whether they fought in the Pacific or European theater, they faced a resolute and often brutal enemy; yet they possessed the inner strength and courage that kept them going on the beaches at Normandy, in the deserts of North Africa and on the islands of the South Pacific. The actions of those who were called to duty were probably best described by the words of Admiral Nimitz: "Uncommon valor was a common virtue.", In memory of all Korean War Veterans. They told us, "We are going to have peace even if we have to fight for it." So we fought in the mountains on Heartbreak Ridge and waded ashore at Inchon. We froze in the winter and baked in the summer sun. At times, we were greatly outnumbered; but we still fought on and many of us gave our lives for Freedom . . . for Justice . . . and for Peace., In memory of all Vietnam Veterans. This memorial was erected in memory of the young individuals who went to war as kids and lost their youthful dreams, and some their lives, for a cause - freedom and honor - and came back as men with the horrors of war instilled in every fiber of their being and were never given the respect and honor they so dearly deserved from the public or United States government. God will one day judge our actions. Until then, He will shine on the lives of each veteran now and forever more because He was with each of them in Vietnam. He is the only One that truly knows what they went through and are living with every day., In memory of all Persian Gulf War Veterans. "I have seen in your eyes a fire of determination to get this job done quickly so that we may all return to the shores of our great nation. My confidence in you is total. Our cause is just! Now you must be the thunder and lightning of Desert Storm." -General Norman Schwarzkopf, Duty To Country I believe in taking care of our country. It is our duty. I was honored to serve. When I went into the service, I thought it was the greatest thing. I'd do it again today if I could., Teamwork I didn't just give orders. I worked with them. I never asked them to do anything I wouldn't do., Mountaineer Soldiers West Virginia people were highly sought after over there (Korea). They knew West Virginians worked hard, had sense and weren't afraid to try any job., Ray W. Harper, Korean War Veteran.

In memory of all World War I Veterans
It was known as the Great War . . . the war to end all wars.
We went "over there" to the songs and cheers of our countrymen, and marched right into the grim reality of twentieth century warfare. Poison gas, machine guns, tanks, aircraft and submarines were devastating innovations. We fought in trenches, on the sea and in the air.
We helped make the world safe for democracy . . . but it was only the beginning.

In memory of all World War II Veterans
This memorial is in honor of all of the World War II veterans who were involved in the fight for the freedom of America and the free world.
Whether they fought in the Pacific or European theater, they faced a resolute and often brutal enemy; yet they possessed the inner strength and courage that kept them going on the beaches at Normandy, in the deserts of North Africa and on the islands of the South Pacific.
The actions of those who were called to duty were probably best described by the words of Admiral Nimitz: "Uncommon valor was a common virtue."

In memory of all Korean War Veterans
They told us, "We are going to have peace even if we have to fight for it." So we fought in the

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mountains on Heartbreak Ridge and waded ashore at Inchon.
We froze in the winter and baked in the summer sun.
At times, we were greatly outnumbered; but we still fought on and many of us gave our lives for Freedom . . . for Justice . . . and for Peace.

In memory of all Vietnam Veterans
This memorial was erected in memory of the young individuals who went to war as kids and lost their youthful dreams, and some their lives, for a cause - freedom and honor - and came back as men with the horrors of war instilled in every fiber of their being and were never given the respect and honor they so dearly deserved from the public or United States government.
God will one day judge our actions. Until then, He will shine on the lives of each veteran now and forever more because He was with each of them in Vietnam. He is the only One that truly knows what they went through and are living with every day.

In memory of all Persian Gulf War Veterans
"I have seen in your eyes a fire of determination to get this job done quickly so that we may all return to the shores of our great nation. My confidence in you is total. Our cause is just! Now you must be the thunder and lightning of Desert Storm."
-General Norman Schwarzkopf

Duty To Country
I

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

2. Ritchie County Veterans Memorial

believe in taking care of our country. It is our duty. I was honored to serve. When I went into the service, I thought it was the greatest thing. I'd do it again today if I could.

Teamwork
I didn't just give orders. I worked with them. I never asked them to do anything I wouldn't do.

Mountaineer Soldiers
West Virginia people were highly sought after over there (Korea). They knew West Virginians worked hard, had sense and weren't afraid to try any job.

Ray W. Harper, Korean War Veteran

Erected 2023.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military.

Location. 39° 12.492′ N, 81° 9.337′ W. Memorial is in Cairo, West Virginia, in Ritchie County. It is on Main Street (West Virginia Route 31) north of Hill Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 353 Main Street, Cairo WV 26337, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in West Virginia’s Little Kanawha Valley.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Ritchie County Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Unusual Architecture (within shouting distance of this marker); Raiders In Harrisville (approx. 5.4 miles away); Ritchie County Courthouse

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

3. Ritchie County Veterans Memorial

(approx. 5.6 miles away); a different marker also named Ritchie County Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.6 miles away); Harrisville (approx. 5.6 miles away); Harrisville / Thomas Maley Harris (approx. 6.2 miles away); Romeo H. Freer (approx. 6.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cairo.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 3, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.