100 years on, Kansas City’s Liberty Memorial still shines for veterans

The eyes of the world were focused on Kansas City on Nov. 1, 1921. Some of the biggest names of the Great War — Gen. John “Black Jack” Pershing of the United States, Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France, Adm. Sir David Beatty of Great Britain among others, along with 60,000 members of the American Legion – were on hand for the groundbreaking of the Liberty Memorial, one of the first major monuments honoring the sacrifices made by millions during the First World War. A local veteran was also there for the ceremony. An artillery captain who had seen action in France, the 37-year-old co-owner of a haberdashery in Kansas City had worked tirelessly and at great personal expense to decorate the community for the big occasion. Now he was in charge of presenting the colors to the Allied commanders. That man — Harry S. Truman — would attend other ceremonies at the monument, now part of the National World War I Museum and Memorial, including when it opened 100 years ago on Nov. 11, 1926. In full uniform with white gloves, the future President of the United States served in the honor guard accompanying Queen Marie of Romania at the dedication. “I was here in 1921, at the original dedication,” he said years later in the Kansas City Star. “I was in command of a flag detail then. This is a great day, one of the outstanding events of this community.” The Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. (National World War I Museum and Memorial) A century later, Liberty Memorial still stands as a beacon — literally — honoring veterans. At night, the top of the 217-foot limestone tower emits steam highlighted by red and orange lights to give the illusion of a burning pyre, which can be seen for miles. Efforts to build the memorial — which bears the inscription “In honor of those who served in the World War in defense of liberty and our country” — actually began before the armistice went into effect on Nov. 11, 1918. Two days earlier, as rumors of a possible peace deal swirled, the Kansas City Journal reported how locals had gathered to begin a project that would recognize “Deeds of Valor ‘On Freedom’s Frontier’” with what was then called Victory Memorial. The site selected for the monument was on a hill overlooking Union Station in downtown Kansas City. It was financed by local citizens who wanted to remember the sacrifice needed to win that devastating war. “The people of Kansas City reached out and began a fundraising movement for the memorial,” says Dr. Christopher Warren, vice president of curatorial affairs and chief curator at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. “It was so successful. Money was coming from school kids and families, as well as business leaders. In 10 days, they raised $2.5 million. That’s something like $45 million today.” With world leaders in attendance at the dedication, construction began in 1921 on the massive structure designed in classical Egyptian Revival architecture style. Atop the tower was placed four large Guardian Spirits, representing peace but each holding a sword, named Honor, Courage, Patriotism and Sacrifice. Today, the Liberty Memorial is the signature landmark of the sprawling complex, designated by Congress as the official museum of the war in 2004. Two years later, it opened a huge facility underneath the tower, featuring one of the world’s largest and most complete collections of artifacts and exhibits from the Great War. For the 100th anniversary this year, Liberty Memorial features an evening outdoor light exhibit to focus attention on that fight for freedom. Called Liberty’s Beacon, the light show includes three separate animated works by world-renowned artists — Xavier de Richemont, Leslie Epsztein and Camille Gross and Onionlab — highlighting the experience of veterans. Each is projected on the north wall of the tower and includes an original musical score. “It is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” Warren says. “They do these projections a lot in Europe on the sides of cathedrals. To see it here is so inspirational. With music and narration, they really pull on your heartstrings. I think it’s a great way to be reminded of the sacrifices made by others, especially veterans and their families.” The Liberty Memorial was a favorite stop for Truman during campaigns and at other times in his life. He appeared there on several occasions and would often remark about the venue’s significance to the community and also to him personally as a veteran. View of the crowd listening to former President Harry S. Truman at the World War I Memorial, Nov. 11, 1961. (Liberty Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri). His last visit was Nov. 11. 1961, when the memorial was rededicated. Both he and Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke to a crowd of about 25,000 people about concerns over the Cold War and the threat of nuclear weapons. As veterans, both former presidents addressed the need to support the United Nations as a means for settling differences between countries. “I hope this day will be a preliminary to continuing world peace,” Truman told a cheering crowd, according to the Kansas City Star. “I hope all of us can put our uniforms in mothballs.”