Never Forget Gardens commemorate centennial anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

On Veterans Day, November 11, the Dubois County Daughters of the American Revolution will dedicate three “Never Forget Gardens” to commemorate the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The public is invited to attend the dedications to take place beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Jasper at the Alexander Schoolhouse historical site, 401 W. 4th St.; In Huntingburg at Veterans Monument Park, 310 W. 14th St.; and Ferdinand at the Wollenmann House, 1150 Main St.

The three gardens will include the American flag, benches or seating, and a commemorative marker from the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier complimented by various plants and flowers.

Each particular garden also has its own individuality, said DAR member Angie McDonald.

The Jasper garden will include a new 30-foot flagpole to be dedicated on Thursday. Seating and plantings already in place will be maintained by the DAR chapter. The commemorative marker will be presented to the Redevelop Old Jasper Action Coalition for placement in the garden at a later date.

The Huntingburg garden was planted last week on the south wing of the Veterans Monument on 14th Street and includes such flowers as red roses, white Shasta daisies, and white hydrangea. The City of Huntingburg mounted the commemorative marker on a piece of granite that matches other signage at the Monument.

The Ferdinand garden is included in the overall landscaping at the Wollenmann House, with the commemorative marker placed within the landscaping adjacent to the existing pergola on the east side of the house. The marker was inset into a piece of sandstone donated through ROJAC in Jasper and placed in the ground by members of the Ferdinand Historical Society, owners of the property.

Each dedication will also include a National Salute to honor our nation’s veterans as well as all Unknowns of the past, present, and future.

Due to the threat of rain on Thursday, we expect to move all our events indoors. The Jasper event will take place in the Schaeffer Barn behind the Alexander Schoolhouse; the Huntingburg event will be conducted at VFW Post 2366, 314 N. Geiger St.; and the Ferdinand event will take place at American Legion Post 124, 425 Main St.

“We will display poster-size prints of the gardens as proxies for the actual locations,” said McDonald. “Count honors and Taps will take place as planned.”