Westport honors the veterans of the 20th Century Wars with a collection of monuments on a downtown green.
Veteran’s Memorial Green, between Main Street and Myrtle Avenue, includes monuments honoring the service of local residents in the two World wars, Korea and Vietnam.
The World War I monument features a bronze Doughboy atop a granite base. A bronze shield on the south face reads, “Dedicated to the citizens of Westport who served in the World War. Erected Nov. 11, 1930.”
Plaques on the west and east sides of the monument’s base list Westport residents who served in the conflict, with the west plaque honoring seven residents who were killed, and the east plaque honoring seven who served as nurses.
The Doughboy atop the monument was created by sculptor J. Clinton Shepherd, whose other works include a wide range of Western-themed sculptures.
The monument was located on Old Post Road until it was moved to the green in 1987.
Immediately next to the World War I monument, a monument honors the service of Westport’s World War II heroes. A plaque mounted on a rough boulder bears the dedication, “They honored us more than we can ever honor them,” and lists about 42 residents who died during World War II service.
The monument is flanked by smaller markers honoring Westport’s Korea and Vietnam war veterans. The Vietnam plaque lists five residents killed in the conflict.
To your left (as you face the monuments), an Honor Roll monument dedicated in 1998 recognizes Westport’s World War II veterans. Five large plaques, each with three rows of names in small print, list local residents who served in the war.
Tags: Westport