The World War I and World War II monuments situated on the 6.5-acre Community Veterans Memorial in Munster, Ind., continue to serve as symbols of history to educate people about the sacrifices others made to instill world harmony, and give hope for global peace.
The establishment of the Community Veterans Memorial and the Monuments were ideas conceived by Donald S. Powers and Edward P. Robinson in 1999 according to the Memorial’s website. This journey to create something to remember the veterans who shed their blood in World War I and World War II began September 13, 2000, and opened to the public on June 1, 2003.
The World War I Monument which is made of granite, stone, military artifact, rubble, dogwood, and massive concrete beams, is designed to depict a building collapsed on a military armor vehicle. This monument symbolizes the tragedy and destruction that hit the world through the war.
The World War II Europe Monument features a sculpture molded like a military man in ammunition and split beams scattered around him. A plaque with inscription in front of the monument explains that the sculpture and split beams represent the continuation of Europe’s destruction in World War I in Korea and Vietnam.
A sculpture of a soldier who is giving a helping hand to another under the rubble is the monument representing thousands of soldiers who lost their lives during World War II in the Pacific Ocean.
The World War Monuments were crafted by the Rotblatt-Amrany Studio located in Highland Park, Ill. The Studio Rotblatt-Amrany is owned by an Israeli-born American, Omri Amrany and his American wife, Julie Rotblatt-Amrany. The Studio Rotblatt-Amrany is known for many amazing pieces including ‘The Spirit’ – the 16-foot bronze sculpture of Michael Jordan located at the United Center in Chicago, and the five 8-foot tall stainless steel figures made for the Detroit Tigers in 1999.
The monuments at the Community Veterans Memorial hold tremendous significance to people who live nearby. Corey Nichols, a veteran and resident of Munster, visits the Park at least once every week. He said, “As a veteran, visiting this place and seeing the sacrifices our elders made and how much our country people love and support us, really gives me joy.”
Speaking about the significance of the monuments and the lessons behind them, Nichols said, “It tells me that we should always be fighting for our freedom, no matter what. There is going to be tyranny out there, whether it’s upon us or upon others, if there is something that we can and should do, then we should do it. These people did not only give themselves for us but for others as well.”
Reflecting on what makes the Community Veterans Memorial unique from other places, Lydia Osei, who had visited from Lynwood, Ill., said, “Sometimes I felt my grandmother was exaggerating when she told me stories about these wars, but seeing these monuments and reading the history behind them makes me believe her now. This place is so unique, and it connects you to the periods of the wars. At a point in time I felt I was also a soldier on the battle ground. Coming here is the best history class I have ever taken.”
The Community Veterans Memorial is not gated, and admission and access are free. Except for maintenance hours, the Community Veterans Memorial is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, Monday to Sunday. Further details can be accessed from the memorial’s website, https://www.communityveteransmemorial.org/ .