A Largely Forgotten Memorial to an Unforgettable Piece of History

The Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri is reaching its centennial and I find that many Americans let alone Europeans even know of its existence. This is truly a shame as the memorial is not only impressive in its stature and symbolism, but a testament to the deteriorating values and recognition of the American public at large.

“These have dared bear the torches of sacrifice and service: Their bodies return to dust, but their work liveth for evermore. Let us strive on to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

This inscription can be seen on the Great Frieze located at the memorial and speaks volumes of the sentiments of the American public at the start and end of the Great War. At the start of the WWI, the United States remained adamant to stay detached from the troubles and conflicts of Europe as these events were symptoms of a system that continued to support monarchs and elites that a free people felt distasteful and anti-democratic. However, by wars end, the U.S. had not only become involved, but also became a leading voice in the attempt to broker a lasting peace - A peace that would end a short 20 years later with the outbreak of WWII.

From Idea to Completion in Less than 8 Years

One of the most impressive circumstances of the Liberty Memorial besides its beauty and location atop a hill that overlooks the Kansas City skyline is the story behind its ideas, funding, and construction.

Following the Armistice that concluded the war, several local business leaders from the Kansas City area decided to start a campaign to build a monument to those people that lost their lives in the Great War. In only 10 days, 83,000 people contributed $2.5 million dollars to fund the project. In today's dollars that would equal nearly $40 million. Furthermore, the site was designed in less than 2 years and dedicated in 1921 with the military leaders of all 5 major allied nations present. Construction was completed less than 5 years later and President Calvin Coolidge presented a dedication speech to an audience of 150,000 people.

Features of the Liberty Memorial Complex

The site of the memorial is impressive in and of itself. Located on a hill that overlooks the city of Kansas City, it features a tower over 200 feet tall with a "flame of inspiration" illuminating the sky at night.

On either side of the tower are two Assyrian Sphinxes with their eyes shielded - one facing East and the other facing West. To the East the sphinx represents "Memory" and the horrors of the conflict and to the West the unknown "Future" of mankind.

Additionally, the tower is flanked by two halls - Memory Hall and Exhibit Hall. Memory Hall contains a large remnant of the "Pantheon de la Guerre" and plaques with the names of the 441 Kansas Citians that perished during the war. The Exhibit Hall contains the flags of the Allied Nations in the order that they became embroiled in the conflict.

There is a giant sculptured mural on the opposite side of the tower facing Kansas City's Union Station - The Great Frieze. This work was completed by artist and veteran Edmond Amateis. It is an astounding 148 feet wide and one of the largest such works in existence.

Also, a stone wall holds bronze busts of the 5 Allied commanders that were present during the dedication of the Liberty Memorial.

Lastly, the Memorial Mall lined with specially planted Sugar Maple Trees leads to the monument site and the World War I Museum that rests underneath. (See tomorrow's post on the amazing museum)

The Importance of the Memorial Remains

Understanding the plethora of conditions that led to the war is important, but for Americans it is just as important to remember why we were so stubborn in sending our men and women off to fight in a foreign land. The prosperity and potential of the U.S. lies not in its ability to conduct war on foreign lands, but in its ability to broker peace through strength. America remains a land of immigrants, many of which have come to avoid the conflicts of their native lands. Perhaps we can learn a lesson from our past - a past that overwhelmingly wanted to be slow to make war.

If the U.S. was slow to enter the war, it certainly wasn't slow in recognizing the significance of the events that led to the war or the devastation left in the aftermath and created a lasting memorial that symbolizes the tragedy of the event and the hope for a lasting peace in its wake. We might find a great deal of wisdom in the monuments that decorate the Liberty Memorial Complex.

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Sources: The National WWI Museum and Memorial Visitors Guide and https://www.theworldwar.org/explore/museum-and-memorial/elements-museum-and-memorial

All photos are mine or in the public domain.

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