By Chris Spangler
A monument honoring all Americans — those in uniform and on the home front — who helped win World War II is planned for McCoy Park.
The Fort Atkinson City Council on July 16 approved a request by Fort Atkinson resident Mabel Schumacher to install a World War II monument in the northwest corner of the Madison Avenue park.
Schumacher, who has donated her time and talents to monuments and statues in this and other local parks, has been working with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department to ensure continuity between the existing veterans monuments at McCoy Park.
The World War II memorial will consist of a stainless-steel globe set on a stone base. At the entrance to the space will be two benches featuring the names of Gerald Endl and Kenneth Gruennert, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients from Jefferson County, as well as a brief quote by historian and author Stephen Ambrose.
The city’s Plan Commission reviewed the proposal July 9 and recommended that the city council approve it.
Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Director Ben Dayton reported that the monument will be funded through the Schumacher Field of Interest Fund with the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation. City staff will work with the foundation for reimbursement after the project’s completion. Additional funds will remain in the account for future maintenance expenses.
He noted that uplighting will illuminate it during the evening. A 4-foot-deep concrete footing will be installed under the statue and stone base to help support the monument’s weight.
The granite benches will be placed on the edge of the concrete pad on both sides of the path entrance. The inscription on one will be: “Gerald Endl; Fort Atkinson, WI; U.S. Army Staff Sergeant; Medal of Honor Recipient; March 27, 1945” and “ Kenneth Gruennert; Helenville, WI; U.S. Army Sergeant; Medal of Honor Recipient; December 42, 1942.”
Inscribed on the second bench will be the following quote by Ambrose, a Whitewater native: “The American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didn’t want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So they fought, and won, and all of us, living and yet to be born, must be profoundly grateful.”
In her proposal for placement of the monument, Schumacher wrote: “Fort Atkinson has a strong veteran community that honors the memory of veterans who have fought and often made the supreme sacrifice to protect our nation. Currently, there is no formal monument recognizing World War II veterans. McCoy Park has been designated as a Veterans Park, and currently contains several memorials, including the World War I doughboy, veterans flag memorial, World War I memorial, Spanish-American War (memorial), and K-9 Veterans memorial.”
She noted that her late husband, Vernon A. Schumacher, was a World War II veteran.
Dayton told the council that the Park and Recreation Advisory Board reviewed the proposal.
“I’d like to thank Mrs. Schumacher for bringing this forward,” council member Kyle Jaeckel said. “It is a very well-thought-out design and concept for us to integrate into this park, being how she said this isn’t just for the veterans of the world war; it is for everyone who helped make the (the nation) pull through.”
Council member Eric Schultz agreed,
“Mrs. Schumacher’s been amazing to work with. … I’m thankful she approached me to work on this,” he said.
“I would just echo that we are fortunate to have the benefit of the generosity of the donor in this and it is very nice to see the support for the project here with us tonight,” council President Davin Lescohier added prior to the unanimous vote of approval.
In a followup interview Tuesday, Schumacher told Fort Atkinson Online that she began talking with local artist Brady Lueck about creating the monument about a year ago. Formerly of Fort Atkinson, she said, Lueck is based today in Burlington.
“We talked about my dream about a World War II monument and it just didn’t go anywhere then,” Schumacher said.
She said she was inspired by a decorative lamp she came across, which gave her the idea for the monument’s design.
“I saw it and said: ‘that’s what I want,'” Schumacher recalled.
Schumacher said estimated costs to complete the monument are $80,000, which, she added, will be covered by the fund she has established through the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation.
She noted that concrete for the base of the monument is anticipated to be poured in September, with an anticipated dedication of the completed monument to be held Sunday, Nov. 10, in advance of Veterans Day.
Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Director Ben Dayton holds material that will be used as part of the World War II memorial recently approved for placement in the city’s McCoy Park. Fort Atkinson Community Foundation Executive Director Sue Hartwick was also on hand recently to learn about the then-proposed monument. Fort Atkinson resident Mabel Schumacher, through a fund she established that is administered through the foundation, is covering costs associated with the project.
A “maquette,” which World War II monument project coordinator Mabel Schumacher said is French for “little version or model,” depicts the basic shape of the monument that is anticipated to be completed and placed in McCoy Park in November.
A decorative lamp serves as the inspiration for the forthcoming World War II monument. Fort Atkinson resident Mabel Schumacher, who is spearheading the project, said she began exploring the concept for the monument “about a year ago.”
Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Director Ben Dayton holds a sample of the textured stainless steel which will be used to create continents on the monument’s globe.
An artist’s rendition depicts the completed World War II monument planned for inclusion within the city’s McCoy Park.
A map depicts placement within McCoy Park of the newly approved World War II monument. According to project coordinator Mabel Schumacher, the recently approved World War II monument will be connected to the park’s existing Veterans Memorial with an asphalt sidewalk.
Contributed photos.
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