Last Saturday, July 16, a crowd of people gathered to pay tribute to those who served in the Civil War.
The reason for the gathering was the rededication of the Soldiers and Sailors Civil War Monument, a structure that is now 142 years old.
The monument, which is almost 70 feet tall, features a winged goddess on top, and was renovated in time to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the war's end in 1865. The refurbishment took months, and was the first time in its history the monument has been restored. It was first dedicated on July 15, 1874, nine years after the end of the conflict.
John Anderson, a former mayor of Worcester and a historian, said people today should consider the sacrifice of those who fought and died in the conflict, fighting for justice and liberty. Anderson said the commemoration of the victory will be hollow if people alive today do not live up to the ideals for which the war was fought.
Edward M. August, the city manager, noted that in 1860, about one of every eight residents joined the Union forces, and of those, almost 10% perished. The mayor at that time, James Blake, made the monument a priority to make sure the soldiers were not forgotten, and August urged current residents to rededicate themselves to Blake's vision.
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