Communities Planning “Living” War Memorials THE AMERICAN COMMISSION FOR COMMUNITY WAR MEMORIALS COUNSELS MANY COMMUNITIES ON PLANS FOR POST-WAR MEMORIALS FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS AND RECREATION NQUIRIES have been re- ceived from all but nine states in the United States by the American Commission for Living War Memorials, accord- ing to Chairman, George M. Trautman. The Commission was created by Paul V. McNutt, Federal Security Administrator under the Committee on Physi- cal. Fitness, to encourage the erection of such types of me- morials that will increase the physical fitness of America. “Practically one-half of the first two million men to appear ‘before their draft boards were physically deficient,” Chairman Trautman cites. “A memorial designed to furnish recreation and team or individual play will make a fine contribution to American health and well being and at the same time be a fitting symbol to the men and women who have served in World War II.” A Source of Information For All Hundreds of communities have written the office of the Com- mission stating that they have either raised their funds or are in the process of organizing to plan a suitable living memorial. Some of these inquiries involve a very small expenditure and many of them run into large funds. All of them, however, are sincerely designed to fit the communities’ needs and pocketbook. In Seattle, Washington, a group of boys have secured the grant of a tract of timber. They plan to reforest it, chart a hiking trail or two through the trees with outdoor ovens and other picnic facilities and then to dedicate it as a living memorial. In Baltimore, Mary- land, a five million dollar recreation center is being planned by Mayor McKeldin. No matter how large or small the project 1S: the American Commission for Living War Memorials is ready to advise and assist. A Brochure of Planned Memorials Some time during the month of November, a sixty-page brochure containing some 200 illustrations of various types of “Memorials That Live” will be published by the Commis- sion. Any individual or group that is contemplating such a memorial may obtain a copy by writing to the office of the Chairman, Commission of Living War Memorials, 20 East Broad Street, Columbus 15, Ohio. Living Meniorials ‘Take Many Forms To indicate the variety of undertakings,. Chairman Trautman has cited several inquiries. In Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, the School District has announced its intention to improve and beautify its playing field as a living memorial. The School Board is being assisted by a large committee of citizens. When complete, the field will be used for public as well as scholastic events. In Brooklyn, New York, a local paper has announced a $5,000 prize competition to obtain ideas for plans for an appropriate memorial honoring Brooklyn’s men and women who served in World War II. In Burlington, North Carolina, a group of local seni les decided they could do something to relieve the acute shortage of recreational facilities. At the first meeting, $213,000 was sub- scribed. A block of property has been purchased near the down- The Stadium and Playing Fields of the University of California, Berkley, provide a good example of a compact and complete athletic layout. 2] town business district and a recreation center will be con- structed as a memorial as soon as actual building can be under- taken. At Wellsburg, West Vir- ginia, a bond issue passed prior to the war is being converted to construct a swimming pool and park as a living memorial. These will be so planned that they may be expanded later to inciude playground material, tennis courts and other outdoor facil- ities. Sports Shrines Honor Former Athletes Louisville, pretentious program under way providing for four major rec- reation areas. Detroit has or- ganized to construct two stadia together with a combined pa- vilion and canoe shelter at Belle Isle. The people of Romeo, Michigan, have had the war brought very close to them through the recent death of Private Robert E. Mellen. Mellen won sixteen letters in high school competition and later starred in three sports at Western Michigan College. Romeo, Michigan, can think of nothing more appropriate as a memorial than the improvement and enlargement of the field of play upon which he made athletic history. A College Sports Center In the same state, Kalamazoo College has embarked upon a $300,000 athletic field program. This was given its original impetus by an outright gift of $50, 000 from William R. Angell, Detroit financier and sportsman, in memory of his son, Lieutenant Chester Angell, killed in action over Sardinia last Aptil. The new field, to be known as Angell Field, is being built on the site of a gold course near the school, will include a football stadium, running track, baseball diamond and practice football field. A field house with 3,000 permanent seats will include a basket ball court, cinder track and swimming and diving pools. The list is almost endless and each day brings further inquiries. The Commission is assisted by Regional Advisors whose duty it is to organize and advise the individual states allotted to them, and by a group of Architectural Advisors who were selected for their national prominence and sympathy toward this type of memorial. In every case, the Commission advises the use of local talent and labor and use of local funds. Bond issues, public and private sub- scription and many methods of financing have come to light in the mail bag of the Commission. Yes—Memorials That LIVE Will Help Build a Stronger, Healthier Nation. OUR ATHLETIC FIELD AND COURT CHART REVISED Our free wall chart showing dimensions of twenty-six popular indoor and outdoor athletic courts and fields has been recently revised and brought up to date with some additional diagrams included. : Mal The new chart, 18x22 inches, printed in two colors, may be obtained from our representative or by writing direct to our near- eSE-store: Kentucky, “has