Saline County’s War Memorial and Gold Star Mothers
By Cody Berry
After the Second World War ended, there were many efforts undertaken to honor those who served and died in both world wars. In Saline County, there were parades in the downtown area. We have pictures of the VE (Victory in Europe) Day parade in our current exhibit at the Gann Museum. In 1947, the Courthouse saw the addition of a large war memorial, and later a local chapter of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was chartered on January 17, 1949.1
The Saline County War Memorial at the Courthouse was dedicated on June 1, 1947, in an event led by its master of ceremonies John L. Hughes. The memorial was designed and built by the Raymond Rauch Company of Little Rock and Pine Bluff. It was made of solid granite and was more than ten feet high. It also included a base for the monument and two matching benches on either side.2 When originally constructed it looked a little different, as it didn’t yet include the sections for Korea and Vietnam veterans.
At the dedication of the Saline County War Memorial, the National Anthem was performed by the Benton High School Band. Rev. Roger A. Butler led the invocation, and then Benton Mayor Henry Finkbeiner led the crowd in singing the song “America.”3 Lt. Gov. Nathan Gordon gave the dedication address before Raymond Rauch spoke about the design and history of the memorial. It was unveiled by Miss Letha Curtis.4
On November 13, 1947, the Benton Courier reported that Poppy Day was a huge success in Benton, and that forty gallant Gold Star Mothers of both world wars had participated. Poppy Day celebrations occurred on November 8. There was a program that featured a procession of Gold Star Mothers who marched silently behind the flag carried by WWI nurse, Allie Bennet Renshaw, and WWII nurse Mrs. Sam Byrd Puckett. After a luncheon at the Blue Bell Cafe. After lunch, the procession stopped at the Saline County War Memorial for silent prayer and dipping of the flag in memory to the soldiers who died.5
There was no music or fanfare during the Gold Star Mothers parade. This was said to “move every heart,” and many onlookers wore the Poppy, representing lives lost in war. Everyone in Benton was said to be wearing a poppy that Saturday.6 At the Gann Museum, I have two photos and a certificate from the local chapter of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. on display. One of the photographs shows the War Memorial’s dedication while the other shows the Gold Star Mothers in procession at First Baptist Church.
Citations:
1 Program Photocopy, “Saline County War Memorial Dedication Honoring Saline County Service Men Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice in World Wars I and II,” Benton, Arkansas, Sunday, June 1, 1947: American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated, “Saline County Chapter, Benton, Arkansas,” January 17, 1949.
2 Program Photocopy, “Saline County War Memorial Dedication Honoring Saline County Service Men Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice in World Wars I and II,” Benton, Arkansas, Sunday, June 1, 1947: “Saline County to Honor its War Dead,” Benton Courier, May 31, 1947?
3 Program Photocopy, “Saline County War Memorial Dedication Honoring Saline County Service Men Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice in World Wars I and II,” Benton, Arkansas, Sunday, June 1, 1947.
4 Ibid. (Same as 3)
5 “Poppy and Gold Star Mothers Day Huge Success Saturday, Nov. 8,” Benton Courier, November 13, 1947, p. 1.
6 Ibid, (Same as 5)