Of the many memorials worth mentioning, one at St. Mary’s College in the town of St. Mary’s has to be listed. While it is a tribute to those of the college that lost their life in the Great War, it specifically honors alumnus Lt. William Fitzsimons, the first American officer to die. Fitzsimons was mentioned and commented on in an earlier post (“World War I and KU: A Reflection the 100 year Anniversary,” Becky Schulte, 9/7/2016).
The monument was dedicated in 1923, and we have a good summary of the ceremony at this link, as well as a photo. Please note the continuing problem of how Fitzsimons name is spelled.
Lt. Fitzsimmons WWI Memorial Arch, St Marys, KS
Blair Tarr
Blair Tarr is the Museum Curator of the Kansas State Historical Society. He oversees the three-dimensional collections of the Society, but has special interests in the Civil War, Wichita-made Valentine diners, and Leavenworth's Abernathy Furniture. In the last few years he has also done a lot of cramming on The Great War. He is a past president of the Kansas Museums Association and the Civil War Round Tables of both Kansas City and Eastern Kansas. He is currently a board member of the Heritage League of Greater Kansas City.
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