The Ultimate Weapon

The Ultimate Weapon. . This monument is dedicated to the only indispensable instrument of war, The American Soldier--- The Ultimate Weapon. “If they are not there, you don't own it.” 17 August 1990 [A nearby companion marker, shown in pictures below, outlines the people and effort needed to restore this monument. One side reads]: The "Ultimate Weapon" Monument was built by two extraordinary soldiers. Specialist 4 Steven M. Goodman and Private First Class Stuart J. Scherr, and originally dedicated on 20 March 1959. In 1987, The Ultimate Weapon Restoration Committee, sponsored by The Association of The U.S. Army, took on the task of restoring the badly weathered statue. The committee raised over $100,000 to make the restoration a reality. The statue was recast in bronze and the concrete base was replaced by black granite. On 17 August 1990, the monument before you was rededicated to the five million soldiers who have trained at Fort Dix since 1917. The following Members of The Ultimate Weapon Committee made the restoration a reality: William Demas, Chairman Gerie Dowling, Co-Chairman Lucinda Boyington . Dr. Hubert Byron . James Challender . Art Covello . Richard Dowling . Paul Kelly . Mike Kittis . Leon Kurland . Tanya Lantz . Dan Limbaugh . Lester J. Maisto, Jr. . George Mattson . Marilyn McHugh . Clinton Miller . James Nash . Barry B. Newstadt . Clinton L. Pagano . John F. Poulson . Dennis L. Sexton . James E. Snyder . Ted Strempack . Steve Whitmore . Carl A. Williams Honorary Members: C. Kenneth Thiebauth . Harry Budniak . Leo Norton Major General James W. Wurman Commanding [The opposite side of the nearby companion marker reads]: This statue symbolizes the core of American Military Might, The Soldier. Each corner of its eight-sided pedestal, like a compass, points to the corners of the Earth symbolizing worldwide response. The shape of the base, tapering as it rises, focuses attention on the statue, as attention is given in support of our soldiers. The pedestal's three-tier design represents: in the lower, our Naval Forces: in the middle, our Land Forces: and in the upper, our Air Forces. All serve in support of the American Soldier who is "The Ultimate Weapon." Fort Dix graciously thanks the following major donors who generously contributed to the AUSA Ultimate Weapon Restoration Committee. List of donors follows Additionally, we gratefully acknowledge former Fort Dix commanders, Major General Thomas W. Kelly and Major General Rocco Negris, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, Ernest N. Sever and all those other soldiers and citizens who donated their time, effort and money to make the restoration of The Ultimate Weapon Monument a reality. Major General James W. Wurman Commanding 17 Aug 1990 . This historical marker was erected in 1990. It is in Fort Dix in Burlington County New Jersey

By R. C., January 17, 2008

8. Opposite Side of Companion Marker for The Ultimate Weapon