A new home for an old statue
Westmoreland rededicates memorial to Civil War veterans
Nameless, eyes downcast, stoic yet a bit forlorn, the bronze statue of a Union soldier relentlessly stood vigil for nearly nine decades over Greensburg from his high perch at 221 N. Main St., even as some never knew he was up there.
On Monday, 90 years to the day and two-tenths of a mile from where it was first dedicated on Memorial Day 1925, the refurbished memorial — a 7½-foot statue of the Union soldier gripping the barrel of his rifle with both hands before him and standing atop an 18-foot granite base — was rededicated at its new, more prominent home at Courthouse Square in the heart of Greensburg.
“Now his vigil can continue,” Lou DeRose, chairman of the committee responsible for saving the statue, told a crowd of about 200 who spread throughout the large outdoor square at 2 N. Main St., many seeking shade from the brilliant sunshine that bathed the halfhour, early afternoon ceremony.
“He will continue to stand guard and will continue to remind us of the freedom everyone in the county and the country has because of the sacrifices of all those who served in all the wars he has come to represent,” said Greensburg Mayor Ronald E. Silvis.
Male and female Civil War re-enactors in period dress mingled with those in shorts and flip-flops. The audience — old, young and in between — was attentive and solemn but also seemed excited about the new memorial at the entrance to the mall outside Courthouse Square, hard by the county courthouse.
Some held their breath when Westmoreland County Commissioners Chairman Charles W.
Anderson rode with a cherry-picker operator more than two stories high to remove a tarp and plastic that had covered the statue for the rededication. The crowd cheered at the unveiling — and at the fact no one, including the memorial, was injured in the operation.
“There’s a brave Marine,” quipped a relieved Mr. DeRose as the likewise relieved audience applauded again when Mr. Anderson, a Vietnam veteran, and the machine operator safely reached ground.
The statue, now known simply as the Westmoreland Veterans Monument, had its roots shortly after the Civil War ended when a group of local veterans met on July 1, 1865, to discuss a memorial to those county residents who had served, recounted Mr. DeRose, one of the city’s solicitors and a member of the city’s historical society.
It took nearly 60 years to reach fruition. On Memorial Day 1925, the memorial was dedicated by the Westmoreland County Soldiers and Sailors Veteran Association, including some Civil War veterans, at the municipal building of the then-borough of Greensburg at 221 N. Main St. Into its granite base was chiseled, “In memory of the defenders of the Union,” and below it the years of the conflict — “1861-1865.”
Greensburg, which became a city in 1928, moved its offices in 1952 to their current location at 416 S. Main St., leaving the statue behind. The Westmoreland Museum of American Art took over the property and opened its doors in 1959 with the soldier standing guard, even as he was somewhat forgotten.
“It was in a prominent place, but curiously I don’t think most people even saw it. Clearly, people interested in the Civil War, the military or history knew about it, but I don’t think most people knew it was there. It was inconspicuous by its proximity,” Mr. DeRose said last week.
Over the years, the names of all the wars in which America fought were carved into the granite, beginning with the Revolutionary War, making it a monument to all U.S. combat veterans.
When the museum announced its expansion plans two years ago, it was clear the memorial had to go. But where? Not wanting to put a monument of such historical value into storage, Mr. Silvis asked a group of interested people — veterans affairs representatives, city officials and citizens — to form an ad hoc committee to save and relocate the memorial.
Eventually, the Westmoreland County commissioners offered Courthouse Square as a site for relocation. In July 2013, the statue and base were taken down with a crane — and everyone was flabbergasted to learn the statue had been sitting atop the obelisk without being anchored.
Robert Raimondo, of Raimondo Masonry and a member of the committee, took on the job of refurbishing the statue as the committee began raising funds. In all, about $42,000 was raised for dismantling, moving, restoration and re-erection, meaning an additional $8,000 to $10,000 is needed.
“May all who pass by this monument be inspired by the dedication and devotion of those memorialized here,” said the Rev. Martin R. Ankrum of the First Presbyterian Church, Greensburg, in his benediction. “May we, O Lord, never forget, but always cherish their memory.”
Volleys were fired in salute. “Taps” was played on the square. And then, poignantly, from somewhere in the distance, an unseen bugler played an echo version.
The soldier looked down upon the hushed throng, sharing their reverential silence.