The All Veterans Memorial

Located in Davenport Memorial Park

1022 East 39th Street

Davenport, Iowa 52807

The All Veterans Memorial was built to focus attention on the contributions made to our country by every veteran, past and present, and their families, in war and in peace. The All Veterans Memorial started with an idea in Gary Roth's mind. His son Scott was one of the few that were killed in the Panama excursion in 1989. Gary and his family wanted something to acknowledge the sacrifice and loss of those involved in Panama as well as other less well known conflicts. At the same time Mr. Roth was presenting his concept to various civic groups, without success, a group of veterans in the Vietnam Veterans of America, veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Davenport Memorial Park were working on a similar idea. Just when Mr. Roth was about to give up hope, Jack Groves of Davenport Memorial Park approached him and what began as a team soon snowballed to committee of many. The All Veterans Memorial Committee was formed and a goal, direction and organization were developed.

The goal was one of simple logic : build a Memorial. The land was donated at Davenport Memorial Park so there was no government involvement and, therefore, no red tape to deal with.

The direction was based on standard business concepts. a non-profit corporation was formed to pursue funding; local talent was utilized to design a simple memorial, and donations were gathered from local private businesses and individuals. With the dynamic leadership of the first board and committee members, the ALL Veterans Memorial was dedicated on September 18,1994, less than two years from the start of the basic plan of Gary Roth and Jack Groves.

The All Veterans Memorial Association board is composed of three directors, three trustees, a finance officer and assistant, a secretary and assistant, and a liaison. The association is open to anyone interested in helping with its projects. The first goal was to raise money to build the memorial and provide for continuous upkeep. The second goal was an education program designed to help children know the history and patriotism of our country by giving presentations at the memorial site; holding an essay contest for grades 5 through 9; and using the memorial site as a place for thinking and reflecting. The third goal was to have a place for appropriate ceremonies honoring those who have given much for this country and its people. These goals can only be accomplished with on-going donations.

As of August 1997, 42 funeral ceremonies have been conducted at the All Veterans Memorial, 7 veterans have been laid to rest in the surrounding veterans section, and numerous activities have been held there.

The Memorial is arranged in a pentagon shape with a concrete approach at the base. The pentagon consist of shiny colored aggregate embedded in the concrete. In the center is a flag pole flying the two authorized flags of America, the National flag (the Stars and Stripes) and the POW/MIA flag. At the first color change in each corner of the pentagon are black granite pedestals with information on the branches of service including the Coast Guard. An open space of approximately 20 feet exists for movement and ceremonies before the next colored section of the pentagon. At the corners of each side are black granite panels designed after the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall). These panels differ from The Wall, however, in that etchings of people, places and objects are used, instead of names, to portray the time period each represents. There are ten double-sided panels. There are only 12 time periods displayed at the present time, the American Revolution through the Persian Gulf War, with two panels dedicated to World War II. There is another trim section of the pentagon so people may walk around the entire Memorial. Between the panels on four sides are benches to sit on and meditate. At each outside corner of the pentagon are flag poles bearing the flags of the branches of service. At the half-way point of the path that leads to the Memorial is a black granite dedication stone.

click images to enlarge

Dedication Stone

entire memorial

Center

WWII Europe / Korean War corner

WWI /WWII Pacific corner

Civil War / Spanish American War corner

War of 1812 / Mexican War corner

Vietnam War / Panama corner

missing American Revolution corner will add soon