Westside Park Monument Restoration
Donation protected
On April 6, 1917, after three years of struggling to maintain American neutrality in the great European conflagration in the face of mounting German submarine attacks, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war against the Empire of Germany. In less than a year, the fledgling "arsenal of democracy" would recruit and equip 2.8 million soldiers for "The War to End All Wars," an impressive feat of military moblization. Before the War's end, 500,000 of these citizen soldiers would see action on the battlefields of France, and among them were men from Paterson.
In even the most peace loving and law abiding of Republics there sometimes exists the need to go to war. It is in these times that we rely on the bravest of the brave, and often the most resourceful of our youths, to go forward and face the the enemy in defense of our way of life. Our one promise to those who fall in defense of freedom is to honor their memory, so that all that come afterward may appreciate the sacrifice made for the American ideal.
As years the years roll forward and those with direct connections to these heroes succumb to the passage of time, there are often fewer and fewer who remember. The monuments that stand as a testament to their memory are sometimes forgotten as well.
It is because of men like these that we may now live in a country where we can debate the morality of total war and question "diplomacy by other means." At the same time, we ask our servicemen and women to place themselves in harm's way, without questioning our commitment to them. The monuments and markers across the United States may one day be the final testament to their deeds. While we may not always agree with our government's commitment of American lives to a conflict or cause, it is our duty to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to those who go forward in service to their country, not for fame or glory or riches, but because we need them.
Join us in restoring the World War I Monument in Westside Park. This simple act of respect will both preserve a wonderful sculpture by reknowned Paterson artist Gaetano Federici, while providing Paterson residents with a beautified park garden were all can reflect on the contributions and sacrifices that have given us all that we value today, and will hopefully serve to educate future generations about the horrible realities of war.
In even the most peace loving and law abiding of Republics there sometimes exists the need to go to war. It is in these times that we rely on the bravest of the brave, and often the most resourceful of our youths, to go forward and face the the enemy in defense of our way of life. Our one promise to those who fall in defense of freedom is to honor their memory, so that all that come afterward may appreciate the sacrifice made for the American ideal.
As years the years roll forward and those with direct connections to these heroes succumb to the passage of time, there are often fewer and fewer who remember. The monuments that stand as a testament to their memory are sometimes forgotten as well.
It is because of men like these that we may now live in a country where we can debate the morality of total war and question "diplomacy by other means." At the same time, we ask our servicemen and women to place themselves in harm's way, without questioning our commitment to them. The monuments and markers across the United States may one day be the final testament to their deeds. While we may not always agree with our government's commitment of American lives to a conflict or cause, it is our duty to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to those who go forward in service to their country, not for fame or glory or riches, but because we need them.
Join us in restoring the World War I Monument in Westside Park. This simple act of respect will both preserve a wonderful sculpture by reknowned Paterson artist Gaetano Federici, while providing Paterson residents with a beautified park garden were all can reflect on the contributions and sacrifices that have given us all that we value today, and will hopefully serve to educate future generations about the horrible realities of war.
Organizer
Paterson Historic Preservation Society
Organizer
Paterson, NJ
