In a quiet corner of Eden Park, a small plaque nestled in a barren flower bed has drawn attention from local veterans of the Vietnam War. Members of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter 10, are advocating for a larger, more prominent tribute to female service members.
“We had held ceremonies in that area for decades without realizing this memorial was even there,” remarked Forrest Brandt, president of VVA Chapter 10. The plaque, which honors the contributions of women in the Armed Forces, is located near the Vietnam War Memorial on Victory Parkway. It was discovered when veterans were preparing for the annual Memorial Day commemoration.
The existing plaque states: “In recognition of the women of the Armed Forces who have volunteered their services that freedom might live.” Its origins remain unclear; however, the group believes it could date back to World War II or the 1930s, potentially linked to the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
The veterans are advocating for a more significant memorial to reflect the important role women have played in the military since the Revolutionary War. Brandt expressed a desire to collaborate with other veteran organizations to generate interest and secure funding for a more dignified monument. “We’re hoping to start getting awareness and support to create something worthy of the service women have provided,” he stated during an interview with WVXU.
The Vietnam Veterans have reached out to the Cincinnati chapter of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA-Ohio), which has also expressed interest in the memorial’s history. At a recent Memorial Day event, NSCDA-Ohio members admitted they were unaware of when the plaque was placed or its significance.
The History of the Memorial
Research conducted with the Cincinnati History Library reveals that the memorial is indeed older than many veterans anticipated. A collection of articles from The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Cincinnati Post confirmed that it was unveiled on October 12, 1985, as part of a gift from the Dames to honor female veterans.
In a June 1985 article, Mrs. Vaughan Montgomery emphasized the uniqueness of this initiative, citing that “[The NSCDA-Ohio] are taking on a project to honor women veterans, and they believe it is the first such program in this country.” Carolyn Koenig, the local museum properties chair for NSCDA-Ohio, elaborated on the organization’s goal: “They wanted to honor our female veterans, and after researching, they couldn’t find anything like it in the country.”
While the Cincinnati Parks Department lacked records of the memorial’s placement, they acknowledged that the accompanying tree has since been removed.
Future Directions
Brandt acknowledges that establishing a new memorial will be a lengthy process. He pointed out that the VVA Chapter 10 began its fundraising efforts for its Vietnam memorial in the late 1970s, which was completed in 1984.
About the Dames
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Ohio comprises approximately 180 members statewide, with the Cincinnati committee being the most active. Membership requires lineage tracing to a family member who served the American colonies before July 5, 1776.
In Cincinnati, the organization is recognized for its stewardship of significant local historic sites, including the Kemper log house and the Betts House museum. In addition to memorial initiatives, NSCDA-Ohio members are involved in preserving military veterans’ stories as part of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, among other community engagements.
