Alumni head effort to create military memorial
When Dave Miller ’60 MBA ’69 describes the Veterans Tribute envisioned for Miami University’s Oxford campus, he sees more than an acknowledgement of those who have served.
“It’s a reminder to people in the midst of this idyllic campus — this beautiful, safe place — that there’s a reason for that,” Miller said. “Many Miamians have accepted the responsibility of safekeeping our freedom.”
The project began as an effort to preserve history when the former Rowan Hall, originally constructed to house Miami’s Naval ROTC, became part of the Armstrong Student Center. Through the leadership of Miller and David Lawrence ’64, both Navy veterans, and a committee of fellow alumni veterans, it evolved into a broader vision recognizing those who have served from all five U.S. military branches.
Miami currently acknowledges nearly 8,000 alumni who have served and more than 160 killed in harm’s way. Ongoing outreach efforts through the Alumni Association and a history department project seek to identify others.
“From the Miamians who marched together to the Oxford train station on their way to fight on each side of the Civil War to an extensive history of graduating U.S. military leaders, Miami has a proud tradition of alumni in military service,” Lawrence said.
Designed by university architect emeritus Robert Keller ’73, the Veterans Tribute site will be located on the south side of Spring Street immediately west of Wells Hall and will be part of a developing campus green space and thoroughfare. It will consist of five elements.
• Two interwoven and rising stone spirals will wind toward an elevated U.S. flag. Vertical stones carrying the names of Miamians who died in harm’s way will support the spirals.
• Stone panels resting atop the stone supports will contain the texts of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and military oath — symbolically placing Miami’s fallen heroes at the foundation of U.S. freedoms.
• Two metal arms, representing liberty and justice and displaying the Pledge of Allegiance, will emerge from the stone spirals, reaching upward and around the flag.
• Computer kiosks will provide a regularly updated and searchable database of Miami’s military veterans — past and present.
• The tribute’s footprint will form a five-pointed star, highlighted by five entrances, each with a triangular planter box adorned with the seal of one of the five military branches.
Continue onto the Miami University’s Alumni News page to read more about this memorial.