Remembering the greatest generation in Winsted

WINSTED — Although it was originally built to honor soldiers who had fought in the Civil War, Soldiers’ Monument on Crown Street also played an important role in World War II. 

The monument and its history as an Air Observer Corps Observation Post were celebrated on Saturday, June 16, by the Soldiers’ Monument Commission.

The Soldiers’ Monument was dedicated in 1890 as a tribute to the more than 300 Winsted-area soldiers who served in the Civil War. 

Decades later, between 1941 and 1944, the U.S. Army created 14,000 air observation posts in the U.S. — including one at the top of the Winsted monument.

Soldiers’ Monument Commission member and event co-organizer Deb Kessler said that the posts were used to monitor potential enemy attacks.

Military re-enactors, wearing uniforms from the World War II era, took part in the event.

A military camp was set up in one part of the park near the monument.

There were booths with information about Victory Gardens and period military gear, and there were several World War II-era Army vehicles.

Commission members unveiled a replica of a U.S. Government “Defense Area Observation Post” sign.

The original sign was found last year in a resident’s garage and is now hanging in Town Hall.

In the evening a swing dance was held at Elks Lodge 844, featuring the Al Fenton Big Band playing swing jazz music. There was also comedy with Paul Martin (performing as Bob Hope); his daughter, Melissa Martin, performed as the 1940s singer and actress Dawn O’Day. 

For the swing dance, which was a benefit for the commission, the lodge was decorated as a World War II canteen, with patriotic posters everywhere including a banner urging Americans to “Buy War Bonds.”

“We’re losing history because a lot of things are not being taught in schools anymore,” event co-organizer and commission member Lynn Kessler said. “These ‘living history’ events are the only chances for the public to see what history was like during wartime, from both the civilian side and the military side.”

“The fact that the monument was used as an observation tower is a little-known bit of history,” co-organizer Deb Kessler said. “To be able to bring light to that part of history is important.”

Falls Village resident Kevin Titus, who is the president of the Determined Education of American History Productions, showed off his 1941 Model “H” John Deere tractor to visitors and also talked about war history.

“My father served in Pearl Harbor and my great uncle served in World War I,” Titus said. “What I like about that era is that when you said something, you did it. When you shook someone’s hand, it meant something. World War II was a defining moment in American history. It was the greatest generation.”