East Helena Servicemembers Monument 2019 Rebuild Project
The Main Street Park Servicemembers Monument had deteriorated to the point that it was unbefitting the memories and sacrifices made by those whose names appeared on it. The addition of new names of more recent veterans and servicemembers were restricted by space and deteriorated panels. A committee of veterans and concerned citizens was established to move forward with design and construction of a new Monument in Main Street Park to replace the old structure. The East Helena Cory-Dullum Post 10010 VFW and the City of East Helena have moved forward to replace the old memorial with a new monument.
On Veterans Day, November 11, 2019, the Servicemembers Monument was officially dedicated.
A Brief History of the Memorial
According to the Prickly Pear Junction East Helena historical book, the Main Street Park “Servicemen’s Monument” was dedicated September 6, 1943 and constructed by the people of the East Helena community, it included the names of local people in the Helena area, mostly from East Helena, who served during WWI and WWII. It was rebuilt in 1980, with more names added from the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Additional Names Added to the New Monument
The East Helena Cory-Dullum Post 10010 VFW members, and the established names committee, discussed the vetting process that was used to add names and decided that any submitted name should be considered if the servicemember has lived in the East Helena area or is a member of the East Helena VFW. All Cory-Dullum Post 10010 VFW members on the roster have been added automatically. All names on the old “Servicemen’s Monument” qualified and were transferred over to the new monument. Names were collected throughout 2018 and February 2019, vetted, and have been added. In total, the new monument contains 1464 names.
Scroll down to view construction progress of the new Servicemembers Monument.
A specific date has not been set to add East Helena area servicemember names to the existing monument although space for approximately 480 names is available. The East Helena VFW and City of East Helena are currently collecting names to be added. Paperwork needed for servicemembers include a DD214 or similar discharge paperwork and information about the servicemember’s relationship with East Helena. Please contact the City of East Helena (406-227-5321) or East Helena VFW Post 10010 with any questions regarding additions of East Helena servicemembers to the new monument.
Sunday, May 27, 2019 ~ First Memorial Day Parade to the new Servicemembers Monument, Main Street Park.
East Helena is home to another remarkable monument to fallen American soldiers. It is not in Main Street Park but is in the old East Helena Cemetery on Montana Avenue. It is marked, “Four Unknown Soldiers Known But To God“. There is no date or other information to show what battle these soldiers fought. I have talked to many older East Helena residents over the years and have been told perhaps WWI or the Civil War. Some have even said maybe as early as the Indian Wars. Nobody knows. The cemetery was established in 1893 so any of these could be correct but shall likely remain a great mystery. The important thing is that moving forward we forever remember.
View the progress of the East Helena Servicemembers Monument. Click on an image to view larger size.
Search For Names That Were
Added To The New Monument:
The purpose of this search is to find out if a servicemember’s name is contained on the new monument.
Enter the veteran’s last name … results will appear in red text under the search box. You can also enter the veteran’s first name, middle initial and last name, but if you get a “No Results” alert, try just the last name.
All veterans with the same last name will appear.
A complete current list of all names that were added is available here
1980 Updated Servicemembers Monument
