World War I Veteran Memorial

Additional Information

Omaha largest remaining World War I memorial honors the memory of those who served in World’s War 1917-1918. The memorial was financed by the Omaha chapter of the America War Mothers. It was built by the federal Works Projects Administration (WPA) during President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration. The mothers began planning the memorial in the 1920’s but didn’t raise all the money until 1937. According to historian Howard Hamilton, the stars at the arch of the structure were painted blue for Living Veterans, silver for the Disabled, and gold for the Deceased. The memorial was dedicated November 1937. The Mothers also planted 12 elms in the park. Friends of the Parks (under direction of architect Gary Bowen, BVH) organized restoration of the memorial in 1994 and rededicated the site November 1 that year. The landscape surrounding the memorial was redesigned in 2009 as part of the Mutual of Omaha Midtown Crossing development.