The monument has been cleaned up quite a lot in the decade since Dan R. was here and it looks…read morepretty spectacular. The soldier stands ready, holding his rifle nearly horizontally with bayonet attached. He is wearing the usual Union cap and cloak, sporting a pretty spectacular moustache. The main plaque also looks recent, reading "Westfield honors the memory of her sons who have fallen in defence of library, union and indepences. 1861 to 1865. Erected 1871." Another plaque has a relief of a Native American and I have no idea what that's all about. [Review 18415 overall - 1135 in Massachusetts - 1937 of 2022.]

This awesome monument honors the sons of Westfield that were killed during the Civil War. It…read moreincludes a beautifully detailed sculpture of a Yankee soldier. He has a mustache and wears a long coat, a cape, and a cap. He is holding his rifle across his body, instead of vertically, like so many other monuments I've seen. Check out that nasty looking bayonet ! There are four plaques or relief sculptures on the sides of the monument. The three smaller plaques have the names of Westfield soldiers killed during the Civil War, one has the U.S. shield with an American eagle and four flags, and one has a very cool crest with an Indian brave and a curious disembodied arm brandishing a saber. The main plaque is engraved with: Westfield honors the memory of her sons who have fallen in defence of Liberty Union and Independence 1861 to 1865. --------------- Erected 1871 The two engraved plaques are tarnished and streaked, making them difficult to read. The marker is at the intersection of Court Street (U.S. 20) and Elm Street (U.S. 202).

This is a very understated monument located between the street and the front entrance of Memorial…read moreHall. It consists of two sets of triple-fold granite panels. Both sets have a large center panel that is flanked by two smaller panels. Both of the large center panels bears the inscription "Northampton Remembers" followed by the names of Northampton's WW II vets. The remaining four panels bear the names of Northampton's vets that served in the Spanish American War, WW I, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Above the phrase "Northampton remembers are the logos of the service branches, reading from left to right, they are the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, U.S Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Merchant Marine. The monument halves are located on the brick patio entrance to Memorial Hall. The bricks are installed in a parquet design and are of two colors, black and the traditional brick color. There is a flagpole centered between the monument halves.

In 2011, the Town of Southampton erected two beautiful monuments to honor its veterans of America's…read more18th and 19th century wars. Some of those vets died 250 years ago, some before the United States was even created. How awesome is it that these long forgotten names have been immortalized? The left plaque honors those who were killed between 1744 and 1748 in King George's War, between 1754 and 1783 in the French and Indian War, and between 1775 and 1783 in the Revolutionary War. The right plaque honors those who were killed in the War of 1812, between 1861 and 1865 in the Civil War, and in 1898 in the Spanish American War. Both plaques are installed to granite slabs and sit in a pretty little park with a stone bench, flowers and landscaping.

This is a two-sided memorial that honors Southampton's veterans that served in America's 20th…read morecentury wars. One side is dedicated to the WW I vets. The other side is dedicated to the WW II vets and was updated to add recognition to the Korean and Vietnam vets. The memorial is located on a tiny green at a traffic island. A stone monument has a metal plaque on each side for WWI and WW II, A stone curb was added at the foot of the WW II side for Korea and Vietnam. The WW I plaque bears this inscription above the names: Erected by the citizens of Southampton, MA In honor of the men and women from this community who so nobly served their country in the world war 1917-1919 The WW II plaque bears this inscription above the names: Proudly we pay tribute To the men and women of Southampton Who answered their country's call in World War II The Korea and Vietnam inscription reads: In honor of the sons and daughters Of the town of Southampton who so nobly Served their country during the Korean And Vietnam conflicts

This spectacular monument is located in a grassy town green at the intersection of Main Street and…read morePark Street, It's on your left as you drive southbound on Route 10. The green has benches, a brick paved patio, and was decorated with dozens of small American flags surrounding the memorial. The memorial itself consists of three pieces. The main component is a huge double-sided monument for WW I and WW II and two smaller monuments; one each for Korea and Vietnam. The WW I -WW II monument is light gray granite with a center panel of ascending right angles (think of a wedding cake). To each side of the center are wings that fan outward. On the center panel of the WW I side are three bronze plaques that mirror the shape of the granite behind it. The top plaque's inscription reads: In Honor of those who served in the World War 1917- 1918 Twenty names follow a second inscription that reads "These gave their lives" The other 2 plaques are much larger and list the names of Easthampton's WW I vets. There are no plaques or inscriptions on the two wing panels. Horizontal granite slabs were added to create benches. The center panel of the WW II side also has three plaques. These are of a gorgeous brown background with crisp gold lettering. The top plaque reads "World War II". The second plaque reads "In Honor of those who served 1941-1945". Logos of the six service branches are next, followed by 61 names that "made the supreme sacrifice". The rest of the center panel, as well as the left and right wing panels are covered with full size plaques of all Easthampton's WW II vets. In front of the World War II side are two highly polished reflective black monuments; one for Korea on the left and Vietnam on the right. The Korean War monument has an engraved mark of North and South Korea bisected by the 38th parallel. The names, faces, and dates of three Easthampton vets who were killed in Korea are engraved on the monument. The words "Freedom is not free" are engraved at the bottom of the monument. The Vietnam monument is very similar. It also has a bisected map; this one of North and South Vietnam. The names, faces, and dates of five Easthampton vets who were killed in Vietnam are engraved on the monument. The words "See what we saw. Feel what we felt" are engraved at the bottom of the monument. It's a lot to take in. It's one of the most impressive memorials I have seen, The faces of the Korean and Vietnam vets really makes visiting the memorial a personal experience.

Located at the center of South Hadley Commons, the encryption describes its purpose. It reads,…read more"This monument is erected to commemorate the loyalty and patriotism of our citizen soldiers who fought for Liberty and the Union in the Great Rebellion of 1861-1865." The phrasing is formal and resolute, echoing the language of 19th-century civic pride and solemn remembrance. It's a clear statement of intent--this is not just a marker, but a tribute to local men who served in the Civil War, framed through the lens of duty and sacrifice. South Hadley sent 224 of its citizens to fight in the Civil War. Many were likely still living in town when the monument was dedicated in 1896, making it not just a tribute but a living memory for the community. The statue, believed to be the work of sculptor Jerome Connor, is part of a broader tradition across New England, where nearly every town common features a Civil War memorial--testament to the war's profound local impact. The memorial itself is modest in scale but dignified in presence. Set on a grassy rise with benches nearby, it invites quiet reflection rather than grandeur. The stonework is weathered but intact, and the names etched into its surface remain legible--a testament to the care taken in its upkeep. There are no elaborate sculptures or dramatic flourishes, just a simple obelisk form that aligns with the understated style of many small-town war memorials from the early 20th century. What stands out most is its placement: not tucked away in a cemetery or beside a courthouse, but right in the heart of the Commons, where daily life unfolds around it. Children play nearby, neighbors chat, and the monument remains a silent witness to both history and community. It's a reminder that remembrance doesn't require spectacle--just presence, intention, and a place where memory can live alongside the everyday. [Review 1128 of 2025 - 1271 in Massachusetts - 24681 overall]

Springfield's South End has long been a home for Italian Americans, and the streets still have…read moreItalian groceries and specialty shops. In front of the Mom and Rico market is a private monument to one of the greatest Italian American athletes of all time, Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano who bludgeoned his way through 49 fights without a single loss between 1952 and 1956. He defended his championship six times. He retired undefeated! Sadly, he died in a plane crash at the age of 46. The monument is a simple gray granite slab with a drawing of Marciano in the ring throwing a left. The inscription reads: In Memory Of Rocky Marciano Undefeated Heavyweight Champion 1952-1956 49-0 43-KO's Sept. 1, 1923 -- August 31, 1969 Dedicated Aug. 31, 1989

"Talk about the life in Massachusetts Speak about the people…read moreI have seen And the lights all went out in Massachusetts And Massachusetts is one place I have seen" (The Bee Gees) Quiz time! Q: Who was Vice President and 30th President of the United States? A: Calvin Coolidge Bonus Question Q: Before he was Vice President, what state was he a governor of? A: Massachusetts Coolidge settled in Northampton, MA after he graduated from Amherst College, and launched a legal career that led to a lifetime of public service and eventually the White House. The monument has a stone bust of the man known as "Silent Cal" sitting atop a base that lists the milestones of Coolidge's life: 1872   Born Plymouth, Vt. 1895   Graduate, Amherst College 1897   Admitted Mass. Bar Assoc. 1898   City Councilor, Northhampton 1901   City Solicitor, Northamptonton 1906, 1907   State Rep, Mass. 1909, 1910   Mayor, City Of Northampton 1911--1914   State Senator, Mass. 1913, 1914   President, Mass, Senate 1915--1917   Lt Governor, Mass. 1918 , 919   Governor, Mass. 1921--1923   Vice President, U.S.A. 1923--1929   30th President, U.S.A. 1933   Died Northampton, Mass.