The story of the Veterans Memorial in Cuba, Missouri continues each time that names are added.
The Veterans Memorial on N. Smith Street in Cuba, Missouri was erected in 2008 in time for a Veterans Day dedication. The story of the two brothers Phil and W.D. Mullen whose dedication to their brother Cliff sparked the creation of the memorial can be read here. It’s a powerful story. Each Veterans Day since then, the community gathers to honor all our veterans who have fought in foreign wars.
However, the story is not over. It was part of the Mullen brothers plan for the memorial that names could be added later. They knew names might be overlooked when the monument was inscribed. It was their drive to include all veterans that fueled the project in the first place
Today, October 7, 2011, while on N. Smith Street, I ran across the process where names are added to the memorial. A few photos will show part of the process. Stencils are put in place, and then the sandblasting occurs. The gentleman Michael Petty from Desloge who was doing the work on this day, said it was the first time that he had worked on the memorial as the previous inscriber had retired.
Today, eight names were being added. A conversation with Phil Mullen said that there had been 973 names on the memorial initially. There are over 1000 names now , and names have been added four times. Anyone who knows of names that need to be added can talk to Phil or W.D. Mullen in Cuba or go through the Crawford County Foundation. Donations are still taken for the maintenance of the memorial.
Next month on Veterans Day, attend the ceremony at the memorial that honors our troops, then and now. You will find the Mullens brothers there.
A stencil and masking is put in place prior to sandblasting.
All the names are prepared prior to sandblasting
The story is not over for Cuba’s Veterans Memorial. Names are still being added.
This trailer holds all the equipment necessary to add names to the memorial.
I am grateful that there is a memorial local to me that I can take my children and grandchildren so we can show our respect to the service members from our community.
I was just wondering why my grandfather Arthur Curtis has not been added to the memorial. When it was forming I called the number in the paper and spoke to a man who told me that my grandpa was going to be on there. He that his family has known Arthur for years.But now I am just disappointed every time that he is not. We still like visiting and showing our respect for other service members.I would love to point out his name to his great and great great grandchildren.I am just wondering what I can do to have my grandfather added to the world war I section. Thank you again for erecting this memorial and please let me know where I can send donations for the upkeep and what it would cost to have the name Arthur F Curtis added. Thank you