On Wartime and Postwar Commemoration :: essays research papers fc

Commemorating the actions of those who served in World contend I took many another(prenominal) forms in its attempt to ease the sufferingand losses inflicted by the fightfare. The human beings of memorialsserved several purposes and with duration, the meaningsassociated with them changed, as did the purposes withwhich they served. Support groups were formed to aidthose in pack whose lives became radically changed by the war, and in an effort to commemorate their service.Without aleving the pain completely, memorialisationserved to ease the tre manpowerdous burden of guilt, sorrow, andresponsibility to those whose lives were now changedforever.World War I memorials generally fell into three separatecategories based upon the time of their creation. The firsttype of memorials were those which were created in theyears preceding 1918. These memorials scattered the landscape and were created and developed at thecommunity level. The erection of commemorativememorials to the war serve d as a unifying symbol of thecommunity spirit and as a centerpiece with which to rallyaround. They also served as a physical argument againstthose who may offer dissenting opinions as to thecommunities involvement in the war effort. The moral highground was thus established in the symbolization of a unitedeffort. They also served to support the communitys braveyoung men who were off fighting gallantly for the securityand preservation of its ideals and in subject matter the communityitself. Local memorials also served to inspire and motivatethose who labored in industry dedicated to the war effort.It created a sense of purpose and a realization that whatthey were working for had a larger meaning and purpose.Local war memorials also served asrallying points for the hang-up of soldiers. The statuesquesoldier brazenly dashing to war was accompanied withlistings of locals who had enlisted. This inspired evengreater enlistment while creating a public record of scorn tothose who chose to ignore their "duty." As the war continued past a glorious moment and debauchedvictory, the memorials took on more of a role of a museum.The collection of fall upon memorabilia increased.Photographs, books, and art describing the war continued.Descriptions of the weapons of war and the style ofwarfare that was taking butt on the front lines wasrequested, however in order to preserve the high-handedness of thewar, a good deal of censorship was practiced. Accounts ofthe brutality were circulating jeopardize to the homefront throughletters and personal accounts of those who had returned.Government regulation of the memorials however,determined that in order to maintain support for the warand to quell opposition to the countries war efforts, the