Veterans salute WW II memorial

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July 2, 2009

Mark Schlachtenhaufen The Edmond Sun Thu Jul 02, 2009, 10:03 PM CDT

EDMOND — Oren Lee Peters said after the LibertyFest Parade at about 11:30 a.m. Saturday he plans to attend the unveiling of a statue honoring Russell Dougherty and other Edmond World War II veterans.

In the summer of 1943, Peters was an infantryman, landing on a beach at Sicily.

The 88-year-old doesn’t recall what day of the week it was or the name of the beach, but he clearly remembers the early morning sun rising as his landing craft went ashore.

And Peters also remembers that he was loaded down with an extra 35 pounds worth of gear that included his M-1 rifle, a gas mask, K-rations, a blanket and a pocket-sized Bible.

In April 1943, another soldier from Edmond, Russell Dougherty, was stationed in Guadalcanal when he and his 11 crewmen crashed with a heavy bomb load in their B-24 over the Solomon Islands. He was the first graduate of Edmond High School to be killed in the war.

Dougherty was awarded the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters for missions in the Pacific. Construction on the Edmond elementary school that bears his name began in 1943. The statue honoring Dougherty and Edmond’s other WW II veterans will stand as lasting testimony to their sacrifices.

While American Gen. George S. Patton and British Gen. Sir Bernard Montgomery sought glory for their hard-fought victories, front-line troops like Dougherty and Peters had a different point of view.

“We had a job to do and we did it,” Peters said.

Peters said the memorial will serve as a fitting reminder of what soldiers accomplished during WW II — the defeat of the Axis powers and the restoration of security on the homefront.

“I think that’s a great deal,” Peters said.

Peters praised the efforts of those who worked to make the memorial statue a reality, especially Curt Munson, chairman of the Edmond Parks Foundation board of directors.

Other Edmond veterans agreed.

Bill Milam, VFW Post 4938 commander who served in the Air Force from 1948-69, said it is appropriate for the WW II memorial statue to honor Dougherty, an Edmond native.

“I think it’s quite an honor,” Milam said.

Milam said he also liked the idea of dedicating the memorial on Independence Day, when Americans are encouraged to remember veterans.

Jay Benton, American Legion Post 111 commander who served in the Army from 1977-97, said it was past time for the city to honor WW II veterans, and that Dougherty was a great choice.

“I think it’s great that the city wants to honor him and all WW II veterans,” Benton said.

Familiar Edmond artist Mary Lou Gresham created the life-size statue of Dougherty named “Dawn of Hope.” Gresham said Dougherty represents many, including those who pitched into the effort on the homefront.

“We want to honor that whole generation,” Gresham said. “It’s the World War II memorial.”

Edmond Mayor Patrice Douglas said the WW II tribute is long overdue, and she is proud of Munson’s effort to make it a reality. Douglas said the memorial illustrates what Edmond is all about, a city that values art and its veterans.

Munson said memorial laser-engraved bricks, will encircle the base of the Russell Dougherty statue, and are still available to members of the public who wish to honor a loved one’s WW II-related service.

Mike Cunningham, who serves on the foundation board with Munson, said 91 bricks have been ordered, but plenty of others remain available. Cost is $100 per brick, and each can have up to four lines and up to 12 letters per line.

Gresham said brick proceeds are planned to go toward future Edmond bronze projects.

An order form for the bricks is available at edmondok.com/government/boards/pfib.

marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108

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