Rogers City Man Pushes for World War I Memorial in Westminster Park
Brian Brooks wants to honor those who fought for our country during World War I.
He’s ready to build a memorial right now which would include a bell placed in Westminster park in Rogers City. “If it wasn’t for us winning World War I, a lot of people in this generation would not be here,” he said.
He came across the idea after finding an old photo of a previous memorial that had to be scrapped and used as material in World War II. “The bell and the bomb casing went to the metal drive to be made into ammunition because the original bell was solid brass,” Brooks said.
Brooks presented his idea to the Rogers City council Thursday morning. He also read a letter from state representative Cam Cavitt who is in full support of a memorial coming to the area. “We just don’t want to forget any of our soldiers,” Cavitt said. “It’s very important that we don’t forget. Never forget their sacrifices.”
Cavitt has secured funding for a national cemetery in Presque Isle County and suggests if Rogers City doesn’t approve this particular project, it could still come to fruition in the future. “I certainly support a World War I memorial,” he said. “Perhaps maybe if where they’re planning some locations doesn’t work out, maybe when we get the new national cemetery, there might be a location there for that.”
The city did not approve or deny Brooks’ request, which he says he will fund himself, and will discuss further at a future meeting.
In total, there were 363 men from Presque Isle County that served in world war one.
