Today is Veterans Day.
We celebrate November 11 because — 107 years ago today — World War I ended. The armistice took effect at 11 a.m., on 11/11.
Twelve years later — on November 11, 1930 — we dedicated our doughboy statue.
That was 5 years after the town voted to erect a monument to soldiers in “The Great War.”
The commission was offered to Laura Gardin Fraser. Yet her design — showing a bronze relief figure of Victory — did not meet the committee’s approval.
Three years later the Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion raised $10,000. They commissioned J. Clinton Shepherd, an illustrator, sculptor — and pilot — to memorialize a soldier from “the war to end all wars.”
The doughboy statue. (Photo/Amy Schneider)
Six months after Westport’s first-ever Memorial Day parade, the Doughboy was dedicated. But it was not at Veterans Green, across from what is now Town Hall (and was then Bedford Elementary School).
The original site was the grassy median on on the Post Road 2 miles east — across from what is now Pizza Lyfe and One River art school, near the foot of Long Lots Road.
A crowd of 3,000 turned out for the dedication of the 20-ton statue. Governor John H. Trumbull was there, along with hundreds of veterans, and 7 bands. Children pulled ropes to unveil the statue.
Dedication of the Doughboy statue in 1930. This view is looking east.
The doughboy was moved to its present location — one deemed more fitting and dignified than a Post Road median — in 1986. A formal re-dedication ceremony was held on Memorial Day 1988.
Think of all that today when you head up the hill to Town Hall, across from Veterans Green.
As happens every year, there will be a short but important ceremony. The Westport Community Band plays, at 10:30 a.m.
At the appropriate hour of 11 a.m., speakers will honor all veterans, of all wars.
Veterans Day ceremony, 2024. (Photo copyright Ted Horowitz)
Most will be veterans themselves. One will be Staples High School senior Gunnar Eklund.
All will honor the past, and look to the future.
As you leave, look at the doughboy statue across the way. Think of all the sacrifices that have been made since doughboys fought over 100 years ago, in “the war to end all wars.”
Then head over to VFW Post 399, on Riverside Avenue. They’re hosting a lunch for veterans — and everyone else in town, who wants to salute them.
VFW Post 399.
