A group of Marine Corps veterans is leading an effort to restore the WWI monument located at the Mohave County courthouse in downtown Kingman.
In May 1928, the citizens of Mohave County dedicated a monument to recognize the sacrifices made by military service members and to honor the memory of those who participated in the “War to end all wars”. Over the years, the monument and courthouse were a source of great pride in the community and a focus point of historic downtown Kingman. The unique monument was designed by E. M. Viquesney and is made of pressed copper. The monument included a full-sized figure of a U.S. Army doughboy holding a 1903 Springfield rifle in one hand and a grenade in the other and a figure of a Navy sailor. Originally, between the two figures was a Colt Model 1895/1914 machine gun, nicknamed the “Potato Digger”.
Sometime in the late 1990’s, the monument was vandalized and the machine gun was stolen. Also, over the years alkali and silica deposits have gathered on the lower portions of the monument from over-spray from landscape sprinklers. An effort is underway to restore the monument to its original condition by replacing the machine gun with an exact replica made of bronze/copper. Additional lighting, enhanced landscaping and installation of surveillance equipment is proposed to restore the monument to its original historic condition and preserve the dignity it deserves.
A wide-scale fund raising effort is underway to encourage many community members, organizations and businesses throughout Mohave County and the State of Arizona to be a part of this project. The restoration was approved by the Mohave County Board of Supervisors during its regular meeting on January 21. This effort is being led by a group of Marine Corps Veterans operating as an IRS 501(c)3 non profit entity known as the Arizona Military Order of Devil Dogs Charities affiliated with the Marine Corps League.
To contribute to this effort, please send your tax-deductible donation to: Az MODD Charities. For additional information or details please contact Bob Wallace, 928 237-9358, 4435 N. Stardust, Kingman, AZ 86409 or wallacerm@cox.net. The men and women served our nation in the Great War with patriotic purpose. This monument is proof of their dedication to service and freedom. Now, 100 years later, it is the responsibility of the Mohave County community to keep the memory of their service alive with a respectable, restored monument.
